In October 2024, Russia faced its heaviest casualties of the war, with around 1,500 troops killed or wounded daily, according to UK Chief of Defence Staff Sir Tony Radakin. This marks the second consecutive month of record-high average losses, making October the war’s costliest month for Russia, with over 46,000 casualties reported.
Despite staggering losses, Russian forces have made slow but steady advances in Donetsk oblast, capturing village after village every day. The tactics mirror Russia’s past successes in eastern Ukraine, using overwhelming firepower and waves of troops to exhaust Ukrainian defenders gradually.
“Russia is approaching 700,000 killed or wounded – an immense toll of pain and suffering borne by the Russian people due to Putin’s ambition,” Radakin told BBC, emphasizing that these sacrifices yielded only “tiny increments of land.”
Radakin acknowledged that Russia’s recent tactical gains are “putting pressure on Ukraine” but highlighted the economic strain on Russia, now dedicating over 40% of its public spending to defense and security.
He reinforced the West’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine, stating, “That’s the message President Putin has to absorb and the reassurance for President Zelenskyy.”
Read more:
- Frontline report: Ukrainian combined arms operation retakes northern Druzhba
- NYT: Russia, North Korea set to launch Kursk counteroffensive within days
- The Telegraph: Trump eyes 1,000-km buffer zone in Ukraine, guarded by EU and British forces
