Deadliest month: UK Intelligence reports record Russian military losses
Photo: Russian army losses in November hit record high since the start of the war (Getty Images)
In November 2024, Russia's average daily casualties (both killed and wounded) in the war against Ukraine reached a new monthly peak. Such numbers are the result of numerous infantry assaults and reflect high rates of advancement on the frontlines, the UK Ministry of Defense reports.
According to the update, based on data from Ukraine's General Staff, the average daily enemy casualty rate was 1,523 people. This marks the third consecutive month of record-high daily losses for Russian forces. In addition, on November 28, a new daily loss record of 2,030 was reported, the first time this number exceeded 2,000.
As the UK intelligence states, November 2024 became the deadliest month of the war for Russia, with 45,680 losses reported by Ukraine's General Staff. This compares to 41,980 losses in October 2024, making November the fifth consecutive month of rising Russian casualties.
"The higher rate of casualties is likely reflective of the higher tempo of Russian operations and offensives. Russia is attempting to increase pressure on Ukrainian lines as they seek to push Ukrainian forces back on several fronts, including Kursk, Kupiansk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka," the UK Ministry of Defense states.
As the UK intelligence predicts, the level of Russian casualties is expected to continue averaging over 1,000 per day in December 2024, despite the onset of winter, as infantry attacks will continue across multiple axes.
Russian offensive
As the reports indicate, Russia has been conducting offensive operations since October of the previous year. During this time, the enemy managed to capture several cities in the Donetsk region.
Russia's gradual advance continues on multiple axes, including Kupiansk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhiv, and Vuhledar. Furthermore, the Russian military is preparing for offensives in two more directions: Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces took under their control parts of Russia's Kursk region in August and continue to hold these territories.
Experts predict that Ukraine is unlikely to transition from defense to a winter offensive until at least the inauguration of the next US President, Donald Trump, on January 20, 2025.
