Humiliation for Putin as 45,000 Russian troops killed – ‘27 lives per kilometre’ | World | News
Last year marked the deadliest period for Russian forces since the onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine, with a staggering 45,287 people losing their lives. This figure is nearly triple that of the first year of the invasion and significantly surpasses the losses of 2023, when the most prolonged and deadly battle of the war was unfolding in Bakhmut.
Initially, casualties occurred in waves during battles for key locations, but 2024 witnessed a steady monthly increase in the death toll as the front line gradually advanced. This resulted in Russia losing at least 27 lives for every kilometre of Ukrainian territory seized. To date, the BBC Russian Service, Mediazona, and volunteers have identified the names of 106,745 Russian soldiers who were killed during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, the actual number is likely much higher.
Military experts estimated the figure may account for between 45% and 65% of deaths, which would equate to between 164,223 and 237,211 individuals. In 2024, there was no period showing a significant fall in casualties.
Bloody battles for Avdiivka and Robotyne were followed by intensified assaults towards Pokrovsk and Toretsk.
The heaviest overall losses occurred during a slow Russian advance in the east between September and November 2024, according US military analyst Michael Kofman.
He told the BBC: “Tactics emphasised repeated attacks with dispersed assault groups, using small infantry fire teams, which increased overall casualties relative to terrain gained.”
Despite heavy losses, Russia has managed to bolster its troop numbers. Mr Kofman added: “Russian recruitment also increased in the second half of 2024 and exceeded Russian casualties, allowing Moscow to generate additional formations.”
To entice more soldiers, one-time payments for new contracts were hiked in three regions, while combat pay for volunteer soldiers now stands at five to seven times the average regional wage.
In a controversial move, Russia has also allowed volunteers to enlist to evade criminal charges, a practice legalised in 2024.
These volunteers make up a quarter of the identified casualties in recent figures.
