The BBC publishes a long investigation into the number of deaths on the Russian side in 2024. It is the bloodiest year.
On the front, the fighting continues, between two Pascales truces. In Ukraine, Russian soldiers continue their advances, while discussions on potential peace run out of steam. According to the figures published by the BBC this Monday, the Kremlin, which slows down the negotiations, would do well to think twice, in view of the colossal losses suffered by its troops.
In 2024, the third year of war, at least 45,287 Russian soldiers were killed on the ground. For comparison, 17,890 soldiers were killed in 2022, and 37,633 in 2023.
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27 lives for a captured square kilometer
In a large survey published by the Russian BBC service – in collaboration with the independent media Mediazona and a team of volunteers – journalists have analyzed data with open sources from Russian cemeteries, military memorials and death notice.
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They highlighted the significant developments of this third year of conflict. According to them, during the first two years of war, Russian losses followed a wave scheme: intense and deadly fighting phases alternating with periods of relative calm.
In 2023, for example, the majority of losses took place between January and March, when the Russian forces tried to capture the cities of Vuhledar and Bakhmout, in the Oblast of Donetsk.
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But in 2024, the number of deaths increased gradually, months after month, as the front line slowly advanced. A figure particularly draws attention: for each square kilometer of conquered Ukrainian territory, Russia loses on average 27 soldiers.
On February 20, 2024, the deadliest day
This year, Russian conscripts were notably killed during a foray into the Ukrainian forces in the Koursk region. Between August 6 and 13, around 1,226 Russian soldiers died.
But the heaviest losses took place during a slow progression in eastern Ukraine, between September and November 2024, according to American military analyst Michael Kofman.
February 20, 2024 was the deadliest day for the Russian forces. Among the victims were Aldar Bairov, Igor Babych and Okhunjon Rustamov, members of the 36th Brigade of motorized rifle trees, killed when four Ukrainian missiles struck a training ground near Volnovakha, in the occupied region of Donetsk.
The soldiers had been gathered for a medal ceremony. Sixty-five soldiers, including their commander, Colonel Musaev, were killed. Dozens of others were injured. That day, 201 Russian soldiers died through Ukraine.
More than 250,000 Russians killed in total?
Obviously, the BBC has asked itself an essential question: how many Russian soldiers have been killed since February 24, 2022, date of the start of the invasion of Ukraine?
It is difficult to give an exact figure. But to date, journalists have been able to identify the names of 106,745 Russian soldiers killed.
The actual number is certainly higher. Experts estimate that this figure represents between 45 % and 65 % of actual losses, which would situate the total balance between 164,223 and 237,211 dead.
No more deaths, but also more recruits
Despite these massive losses in 2024, Russia strengthened its recruitment efforts. “In the second half, recruitment exploded, even exceeding the number of losses. This allowed Moscow to train new units, “said Michael Kofman.
Several factors explain this craze. First, the bonuses for engagement were considerably increased in three Russian regions. The wages of soldiers are five to seven times higher than the average salary. In Oufa, for example, the single premium at the signing of a contract reaches 34 times the regional average salary, which amounts to 67,575 rubles.
In addition, some have committed to avoid legal proceedings, as allowed by the law in 2024. But it is these volunteers which today constitute the category most affected by losses.
Between 2023 and 2024, thousands of volunteers who signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense were sent to the front only 10 to 14 days after their commitment. Such a summary training has dramatically reduced their chances of survival.
