The Chief of Defense Staff of the United Kingdom Armed Forces and top military adviser to the Defense Secretary has told the BBC that Russia suffered more casualties in Ukraine in October 2024 than in any other month since the invasion began in February 2022.
Chief of Defense Staff Tony Radakin met Volodymyr Zelensky in August 2022. (Foto: Number 10 / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Sea According to Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, an average of 1,500 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded per day last month. Overall, he estimates the number of Russian soldiers killed or wounded since the start of the war at 700,000.
Russia does not publish official figures on its losses. However, Western military sources confirm that October’s death toll was the highest so far in the conflict.
These assessments coincide with reports from the Ukrainian General Staff, which also spoke of high Russian losses in October. However, independent verification of these figures is difficult.
The high losses could significantly weaken the Russian armed forces and have an impact on the further course of the war. It remains to be seen how Russia will respond to these developments.
Support from North Korea has so far proven to be a burden
North Korean aid troops have so far proven to be a burden. North Korean soldiers supporting Russia in the Ukraine war reportedly accidentally shot their Russian comrades.
A Russian soldier who became a Ukrainian prisoner of war reported that North Korean hired soldiers panicked and fired during a Ukrainian attack, with Russian soldiers also being hit. Two Russian soldiers are said to have died.
The US estimates that between 11,000 and 12,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia to support Russian troops. However, the combat experience of these soldiers is being questioned as there is evidence that North Korea did not send its elite troops.
This incident could indicate communication problems and a lack of coordination between the Russian and North Korean units. The presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia is being viewed critically by Western countries and seen as a potential escalation of the conflict.
Land gains through great losses
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin told the BBC that Russia suffered more casualties in Ukraine in October 2024 than in any other month since the invasion began in February 2022. He estimated that an average of 1,500 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded per day and in total Around 700,000 Russian soldiers have suffered losses since the start of the war.
Radakin emphasized that these high losses are often taken for “tiny pieces of land.” Although Russia is making tactical, territorial gains and putting pressure on Ukraine, he pointed out that Russia spends more than 40 percent of its public spending on the military, which places a “huge burden” on the country.
Regarding support for Ukraine from Western allies, Radakin stressed that they would remain determined “as long as it is necessary.” This contrasts with statements from allies of US President-elect Donald Trump, who insist that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may have to cede territory to end the conflict.
The high losses and significant spending on defense and security could weigh on the Russian economy in the long term and affect the country’s stability. At the same time, the support of Western allies for Ukraine remains a crucial factor as the conflict continues.
Our QUIZ on the topic of ENGLAND
