Russian losses hit record monthly high in December 2024: UK intelligence
Photo: The Russian army suffered record losses in December 2024 (Getty Images)
Russian losses (killed and wounded) in the war against Ukraine reached a new monthly high in December 2024. These losses are driven by infantry assaults and are unlikely to decrease, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
"December 2024 was likely the most costly month of the war for Russia with a total of 48,670 casualties reported by the Ukraine General Staff," the summary stated.
In November 2024, 45,680 Russian troop losses were recorded. December marked the sixth consecutive month in which Russian forces suffered higher losses than the previous month.
In 2024, Russian forces suffered 429,660 casualties (killed and wounded), representing a significant increase compared to the 252,940 casualties in 2023, according to a report by Ukraine's General Staff. Since the beginning of the war, Russia has lost over 790,000 personnel, the report says.
According to British intelligence, the average daily losses of Russian troops reached a new monthly high of the war in December 2024. The average loss rate stood at 1,570 per day, marking the fifth consecutive month of higher-than-average daily losses. On December 19, 2024, a new record for the war was set, with 2,200 casualties recorded in a single day.
"Russia will highly likely continue to experience high casualty rates over January 2025 with continued dismounted infantry attacks on multiple axes.," the UK Ministry of Defence noted.
The Russian government recently decided to forgive loans for those willing to sign military contracts. According to British intelligence, Russia's financial incentives for conscripts aim to ensure sufficient recruitment to compensate for its steadily rising losses.
