Russian airborne troops suffer heavy losses in Ukraine

According to many sources, the Russian airborne forces are suffering heavy losses and cannot rest and recover. It is noted that experienced and trained airborne contract soldiers make up a smaller proportion of the personnel due to heavy losses.

The British Ministry of Defense has estimated that units of the 104th Airborne Division of the Russian Army probably suffered hefty losses near Krynky due to insufficient air and artillery support, as well as the inexperience of the personnel.

The high casualty rate, especially among units such as the Airborne Forces, which until 2022 were considered elite, is largely a reflection of the fact that the Russian military command preferred simultaneous offensive operations along the entire front line, often prioritizing minor gains at the expense of disproportionate losses.

A declassified U.S. intelligence estimate, reportedly provided to Congress on December 12, said Russian forces have lost 315,000 personnel since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Since October 10, Russian troops have conducted several waves of massive mechanized and infantry offensives to capture Avdiivka in the Donetsk region despite heavy casualties, and have also deployed untrained airborne troops to defend against Ukrainian forces in the Kherson region.

Use of Russian airborne troops at the front

In September, according to British intelligence, the Russian Federation reinforced the 58th Combined Arms Army with additional airborne units of the Airborne Forces in the Orikhiv sector of Zaporizhzhia region. At the same time, the airborne troops were used as line infantry to replenish the depleted ground forces.

In particular, the appointment of a new commander of the occupiers in the Kherson sector, Colonel-General Mikhail Teplinsky, in October this year could indicate increased pressure on the occupiers in the south by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.