Summary and Key Points: The Russo-Ukraine War persists with high intensity, reaching over two and a half years. The battlefield remains largely in stalemate, with neither Russian nor Ukrainian forces able to achieve a decisive breakthrough. Both sides are heavily entrenched, and casualties continue to mount.

-Russia faces significant human and material losses, with estimates suggesting it could lose 25,000 to 30,000 troops in a month. Those are simply horror show numbers. 

-Meanwhile, Ukraine awaits additional military aid from the U.S. and NATO to launch a potential large-scale counteroffensive. The conflict's prolonged nature highlights the difficulties both sides face in gaining a strategic advantage.

Russo-Ukraine War: High Intensity and Heavy Casualties Persist

Another long summer day in Ukraine, and the fighting continues with the same intensity. More than two and half years after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, his forces continue to struggle on the ground. 

The Status of the Battlefield in Ukraine

Although currently the winds of the war blow in Russia’s sails, the Russian military doesn’t have to show anything more significant to show than tactical victories on some parts of the contact line. 

Similarly on the other side, the Ukrainian military hasn’t shown that it has the capacity to achieve an operational breakthrough against its well entrenched adversary. As such, the conflict right now is in a stalemate. Both sides lack the combat power to break through the other’s defenses and land a significant blow that would force negotiations. 

The Ukrainian military hopes to launch another large-scale counteroffensive over the coming months when more security aid from the United States and NATO arrives in the country. But last year, around this time, the Ukrainians failed to punch through the Russian defensive lines despite using a plethora of Western weapon systems, including Leopard 2, Challenger 2, and M1 Abrams main battle tanks, as well as CV90 and M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. If Kyiv is to succeed, it needs to be equipped better and to plan its counteroffensive better. 

In the meantime, the fighting nears 900 days, and the casualties on both sides continue to mount. As the aggressor, the Russian military is suffering greatly more human and materiel losses than its Ukrainian adversary. 

Heavy Casualties in the Ukraine War 

The Russian forces continue to take very heavy casualties along the frontlines. According to data provided by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, over the past 24 hours Russian forces lost approximately 1,250 men killed, wounded, or captured, as well as losing 61 tactical vehicles and fuel tanks; 42 artillery systems and multiple launch rocket systems; 24 unmanned aerial systems; 11 pieces of special equipment; 9 infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers; 5 air defense systems; and 3 main battle tanks destroyed and damaged. 

This week alone, the Russian forces have lost approximately 5,000 men killed, wounded, or captured, as well as 220 tactical vehicles and fuel tanks; 168 artillery pieces and multiple launch rocket systems; 104 unmanned aerial systems; 61 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles; 48 pieces of special equipment; 23 main battle tanks; and 5 air defense weapon systems. 

These are very heavy casualties indeed, and Russian forces are on track to lose between 25,000 and 30,000 troops in just a month. That translates into around 300,000 casualties a year. 

The relatively low losses on tanks and armored vehicles suggests that the Russian offensives are steadily losing steam. The Ukrainian military has been absorbing the pressure, while waiting for new military aid from the United States and NATO to arrive before it goes on the counteroffensive. 

About the Author: 

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.

All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock. 

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