In March 2024, Russian average daily losses decreased but have been steadily increasing each year since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to a report by the British Defense Ministry. The average daily loss rate for Russian troops stood at 913 in March, down from the previous month. However, the number has been rising over the years, starting at 400 in 2022, increasing to 693 in 2023, and reaching 913 in 2024. This reflects Russia’s reliance on mass to sustain pressure on Ukrainian front lines.
Casualties and equipment losses in war are challenging to accurately determine, with both Kyiv and Moscow likely reporting higher losses than the true figures. Ukraine’s military reported that Russia had lost 447,510 fighters since February 2022, though this could include overall casualties and non-combat deaths. The drop in Russian losses in March is attributed to fewer attacks after capturing Avdiivka, allowing for a rest period for troops and a desire to reduce casualty counts ahead of Russian elections held in March.
The British Defense Ministry had reported that Russia’s monthly casualty count in February was the highest of the full-scale war. Estimates suggested that Russia had sustained over 335,000 casualties between February 2022 and March 2024. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated in mid-March that Ukraine had suffered approximately 71,000 casualties since January 2024, which was similar to the figures reported by Ukraine’s military. The dynamics of casualty counts are complex and tend to spike during prolonged battles.
The increase in Russian losses each year since the invasion of Ukraine indicates ongoing challenges faced by Moscow in sustaining pressure on Ukrainian front lines. Despite fluctuations in casualty rates, the conflict continues to take a toll on both sides, with casualties and equipment losses impacting the overall dynamics of the war. The accuracy of casualty counts is difficult to determine, and both parties have likely experienced higher losses than officially reported. As the conflict persists, the toll on troops and civilians remains a critical aspect of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
