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Russia’s military losses in Ukraine continue to mount at an unprecedented rate, with Kyiv reporting nearly 2,000 Russian casualties in a single day. According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, Monday marked the deadliest day of the conflict with 1,950 Russian soldiers killed or wounded, followed by 1,770 casualties on Tuesday.

The intense fighting has also resulted in substantial equipment losses, with Ukraine claiming to have destroyed 47 Russian tanks and 130 armored fighting vehicles over these two days. These significant losses are primarily attributed to Russia’s counter-counter offensive in Kursk, where North Korean troops have reportedly joined the fight.

The current daily casualty rate represents a dramatic increase from previous periods, doubling the average from last year and exceeding five times the casualties sustained during the initial phase of the conflict in early 2022. This surge reflects a shift from Russia’s initial swift assault strategy targeting Kyiv to the current war of attrition, characterized by alleged “human wave” tactics.

While wartime casualty figures are often disputed, Western intelligence agencies monitor these numbers to assess Russia’s military capabilities. Ukraine estimates total Russian casualties at over 714,000, aligning closely with the UK Ministry of Defence’s October assessment of approximately 648,000. The UK recently indicated Russian losses were approaching, but not yet reaching, 700,000.

Ukrainian losses have received less public attention from Western sources. President Zelensky acknowledged 31,000 Ukrainian military deaths in February 2024. The Wall Street Journal suggests Ukrainian casualties near half a million, while U.S. government estimates are lower at around 300,000. Russia claims higher figures, reporting over 32,000 Ukrainian losses in the Kursk battle alone, along with significant equipment destruction.