The year 2024 became the bloodiest for Russian forces since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with at least 45,287 soldiers killed, according to analysis by the BBC Russian Service and Mediazona. This marks a staggering rise compared to previous years and reveals the devastating human cost behind modest territorial advances.
Unlike the earlier waves of intense combat during battles like Bakhmut, 2024 saw a steady monthly rise in casualties, largely due to slow-moving offensives in eastern Ukraine. Analysts estimate Russia lost an average of 27 soldiers for every square kilometre captured, making 2024 not only the deadliest but also the most expensive in human terms.
February 20 stood out as the deadliest single day, with 201 confirmed deaths, including 65 servicemen killed in a HIMARS missile strike during a medal ceremony near Volnovakha. Among the dead were 22-year-old Aldar Bairov and 31-year-old Okhunjon Rustamov, both from Siberia, and Igor Babych, a 32-year-old former physical therapist who volunteered for war.
Throughout the year, Russian offensives in Avdiivka, Robotyne, Pokrovsk, and Toretsk incurred significant losses. From September to November alone, 11,678 Russian soldiers died as they captured 2,356 square kilometres—highlighting a shift to relentless infantry assaults that increased casualties relative to gains.
By the end of 2024, Russia had seized 4,168 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory, but at a massive cost. Using open-source data, researchers identified 106,745 named Russian fatalities since 2022. With estimates accounting for only 45–65% of deaths, the actual toll likely ranges between 185,000 and 260,700.
Despite this, Russia ramped up recruitment in late 2024. Combat pay soared, and legal reforms allowed criminals to enlist. In Ufa, the capital of Bashkortostan, the one-time enlistment bonus was 34 times the average monthly salary. Volunteers, often sent to the front lines after just two weeks of training, became the fastest-growing casualty group.
With the war grinding on, Russia’s gains remain overshadowed by the sheer scale of its losses—etched into cemeteries, obituaries, and shattered communities across the federation.
