Russia’s war in Ukraine has resulted in the deaths of at least 6,083 elite soldiers, representing a significant loss of highly trained personnel. These casualties, spanning various elite units including Airborne Forces and GRU special forces, highlight the substantial human cost of the conflict. While initially relying heavily on these elite units, Russia has increasingly depended on mobilized personnel and convicts, indicating significant depletion of its trained military forces. The actual number of Russian casualties is likely considerably higher than open-source data suggests, potentially reaching as high as 196,000.
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A collaborative investigation by the BBC Russian Service, Mediazona, and volunteers estimates that up to 220,000 Russian soldiers have died in Ukraine since 2022, with at least 88,000 names verified. This figure, while lower than Ukrainian estimates of over 800,000 total casualties, still suggests a significant manpower strain on Russia. The analysis, compiled from open-source data, highlights 2024 as the deadliest year and details losses across various elite military units. The discrepancy in casualty figures underscores the difficulty in accurately assessing the war’s impact on Russia’s military capabilities.
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Intense fighting near Makhnivka in the Kursk region resulted in the elimination of a Russian battalion comprised of Russian paratroopers and up to an entire battalion of North Korean soldiers, according to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Ukrainian forces, specifically the Special Operations Forces and the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade, are credited with inflicting these heavy casualties. These losses follow earlier reports of over 3,000 North Korean casualties in the region. Despite ongoing intense fighting across the front, Ukrainian forces are successfully repelling Russian assaults and maintaining their positions. This engagement highlights the significant human cost of the conflict and the continued North Korean support for Russia’s war effort.
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Since Ukraine’s August 6th incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, over 38,000 Russian troops and 1,000 pieces of equipment have been lost, along with over 700 captured soldiers. Ukraine initially seized approximately 1,300 square kilometers, though intense fighting has reduced this control. The conflict also involves approximately 12,000 North Korean troops, with over 3,000 reported killed or wounded, highlighting the challenges of unfamiliar terrain and modern warfare. Ukraine intends to leverage the occupied territory in future negotiations.
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In 2024, Russia suffered devastating losses in Ukraine, with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reporting 421,000 troops killed or wounded—the highest yearly toll since the invasion began. This contributed to a total of approximately 785,000 Russian casualties since February 2022. Ukraine’s successes included establishing a pioneering Unmanned Systems Forces and leveraging long-range strikes, significantly increasing the effectiveness of its military actions. To further enhance combat readiness, Ukraine extended basic military training for mobilized personnel to two months.
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A joint investigation by BBC Russia and Mediazona has identified 84,761 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine, a figure likely far lower than the actual number. This count, compiled from publicly available sources, shows over 20,000 confirmed deaths in the past year alone, potentially making 2024 the deadliest yet. These findings contrast with Western estimates exceeding 750,000 Russian military losses, including Ukrainian figures of 772,280 troops lost since the invasion’s start. Moscow’s refusal to release casualty figures is highlighted by a recent admission of 48,000 requests to identify missing soldiers.
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The Kyiv Independent celebrates its third anniversary, having reached millions of readers through its free and accessible journalism. This success is attributed to the support of approximately 12,000 members, a fraction of its readership. To sustain its mission and prepare for the challenges of 2025, the publication is seeking 1,000 additional members. Continued support ensures the Kyiv Independent can remain a vital source of information.
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Despite suffering catastrophic losses—between 600,000 and 730,000 troops killed or wounded—Russia maintains offensive momentum in eastern Ukraine, notably near Avdiivka and Vuhledar. This is partially due to the Kremlin’s strategy of deploying poorly trained troops in large-scale, poorly supported assaults. However, Russia’s economic struggles, including hyperinflation and a plummeting ruble, suggest this unsustainable approach is nearing its limits. The predicted Russian manpower shortage, coupled with Ukraine’s continued attrition strategy, could lead to Russia’s defeat, though this hinges on continued Western support in light of potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy.
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On November 11th, Ukraine reported a record high of 1,770 Russian casualties in a single day, surpassing the previous record of 1,740 set on May 13th. This brings the total number of Russian casualties to 710,660, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. While the Kremlin remains silent on troop losses, Western officials have confirmed October as the deadliest month for Russian forces, with estimates ranging from 1,354 to 1,500 casualties per day. Despite suffering record losses, Russian forces have made significant territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk Oblast, putting pressure on Ukrainian defenses and prompting concerns about a potential escalation.
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Recent estimates from British officials indicate that Russian forces suffered an average of 1,500 casualties per day in October, marking the highest monthly figure since the war began. This surge in losses, which may be contributing to Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops, has resulted in significant territorial gains for Russia, particularly in southern Donetsk Oblast. Despite these setbacks for Ukraine, our unwavering support for Kyiv will continue “as long as it takes,” ensuring their ability to defend their territory and achieve victory.
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John Q. Hosedrinker