Ukraine reports surge in Russian war-related fatalities

Russian Military Casualties Rise, Troops Test New Tactics

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russian military casualties have increased significantly, with over 33,000 personnel eliminated in December alone. This figure is based on confirmed video footage and is expected to be higher due to the destruction of equipment and other factors.

Russia has maintained a voluntary recruitment system for its military, relying on contract-based recruits rather than conscripts. However, Ukrainian intelligence suggests that this approach may no longer be sustainable given the rising casualty rates.

According to Ukrainian estimates, Russia reached its quota of 403,000 recruits in 2025, with an average of 33,583 per month. The country plans to increase this number slightly in 2026.

The Institute for the Study of War reported that forward reserve units in Belgorod have begun receiving heavy equipment, including howitzers and all-terrain vehicles. This suggests that Russia may be preparing to deploy active reservists for combat missions.

Ukraine estimates that almost 420,000 Russian troops were killed or wounded last year. The country’s military has been successful in producing drones, with production increasing in 2025 and plans to further increase it this year.

Russia claims that Ukraine is experiencing recruitment problems, citing a drop in Ukrainian recruitment levels from 14,000 in November to 7,000 in the same month. However, these figures have not been verified by Al Jazeera.

The Russian military has made significant gains in 2025, with an average daily rate of advance of 13.24 square kilometers per day compared to 9.87 square kilometers per day in 2024.

Source: Al Jazeera