Fri Dec 06 08:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Russia Suffers Record Casualties in Ukraine, Intensifying War Effort Despite Economic Strain

**Kyiv, Ukraine —** A new report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reveals that Russia’s offensive campaign in Ukraine is causing record-high casualties, placing significant strain on the Russian military and economy. The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russian personnel losses reached a new all-time high of an average 1,523 casualties per day in November 2024, culminating in over 45,000 total casualties for the month. This marks the fifth consecutive month of increasing casualties.

Despite these losses, ISW analysis indicates Russian forces gained approximately 839 square kilometers in Ukraine and Kursk Oblast during November, at a rate of roughly 28 square kilometers per day. This translates to a staggering cost of approximately 53 Russian casualties per square kilometer gained. Over the three-month period of September to November, Russia suffered an estimated 125,800 casualties in exchange for 2,356 square kilometers of territory.

This unsustainable casualty rate is raising concerns about Russia’s ability to sustain its offensive. While US officials estimate Russia is recruiting between 25,000 and 30,000 soldiers monthly, Ukrainian military observer Petro Chernyk suggests that Russia needs to recruit 50,000 troops monthly to continue its offensive at the current rate and capture the remaining parts of Donetsk Oblast. This gap highlights the growing pressure on Russia’s manpower and economy, forcing a difficult choice between military deployment and domestic workforce needs.

The report further details a communication breakdown within the Russian leadership. Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov’s call to US Joint Chiefs Chairman General Charles Q. Brown Jr. contradicted President Vladimir Putin’s claim that the November 21 Oreshnik ballistic missile strike was a response to Ukraine using US-provided ATACMS missiles. Gerasimov reportedly admitted the strike was pre-planned, undermining the Kremlin’s narrative.

Meanwhile, the formalization of a Russian-North Korean strategic partnership agreement is expected to further intensify military cooperation between the two countries. This follows Russia’s purchase of North Korean missiles and ammunition and the reported deployment of over 10,000 North Korean soldiers to fight in Kursk Oblast.

Internal divisions within the Russian leadership were also highlighted, with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov publicly criticizing senior officials for their handling of migrant issues and the treatment of ethnic minorities, suggesting a growing rift over President Putin’s policies.

The ISW report concludes that continued Western military support for Ukraine remains crucial in sustaining Ukraine’s ability to inflict significant losses on the Russian military and ultimately resist the ongoing Russian invasion. The report also notes ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensives in several areas, including successful advances in the Kharkiv and Kursk regions. The report does not detail specific instances of Russian war crimes, but it strongly condemns such actions.

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