Russia’s slow and persistent progress in certain areas of Ukraine’s eastern region of Donetsk resulted in taking over 4,168 sq km (1,609 square miles) of fields and deserted villages in 2024 – equivalent to 0.69 percent of the country. This was the evaluation of the Institute for the Study of War, a think-tank based in Washington, which used satellite images and geolocated video footage. “Russian troops have captured four medium-sized settlements – Avdiivka, Selydove, Vuhledar, and Kurakhove – throughout 2024, the largest of which had a population of just over 31,000 people before the war,” the ISW stated. Over 400,000 Russian soldiers were reportedly killed in combat in Ukraine in 2024. Russian forces took four months to capture Avdiivka, and two months each for Selydove and Kurakhove. However, these conquests did not allow Russian forces to threaten any significant Ukrainian defensive positions, according to the ISW. It was also noted that Moscow’s troops did not carry out the necessary rapid, mechanized maneuvers to turn these tactical gains into deep penetrations into Ukraine’s territory. At this pace, Russia would need an additional two years to fully capture Donetsk alone, as assessed by the ISW. Russia’s losses have been significant in achieving these advancements, with Ukrainian forces inflicting high casualties, particularly in urban combat situations. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskii stated that Russian forces suffered an estimated 427,000 casualties in 2024. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine later reported that Russia’s losses amounted to 430,790 soldiers last year, surpassing the combined losses of 2022 and 2023. These losses averaged 1,180 per day, with a notable increase towards the end of the year as Russian forces intensified their assaults. The highest monthly casualties were recorded in November and December as Russia escalated its attacks in Donetsk. “This year, the Russians paid the highest price for the war against Ukraine, as our army and all of our defense and security forces of Ukraine destroyed more enemy equipment and personnel than in any previous year of the war,” Syrksyi told his forces in a speech on December 31.
