U.S. officials have reported that September was the bloodiest month of the Russia-Ukraine war for the Russian military, resulting in significant losses during their offensive in eastern Ukraine. This brought the total number of Russian casualties since the start of the conflict to over 600,000. A recent image from October 4 shows Russian recruits undergoing military training in the Rostov region, underscoring the ongoing mobilization efforts.
According to The New York Times, U.S. officials attribute these heavy losses to a so-called “meat grinder” strategy, where both sides aim to inflict maximum damage on each other in a grueling battle of attrition. Commanders appear willing to sacrifice thousands of infantrymen in pursuit of this strategy. Recent months have seen gradual but steady progress for Russian forces in the eastern Donbas region.
“This is the way Russia conducts warfare, continuously pouring large numbers of troops into the fray,” a senior U.S. military official, who requested anonymity, noted during a discussion of internal assessments. “I believe we will continue to see high casualties on the Ukrainian side.”
Pentagon estimates indicate that the total casualty figure for Russian forces in this conflict stands at approximately 615,000, with around 115,000 killed and 500,000 injured. Ukraine, on the other hand, is highly secretive regarding its casualty figures, withholding information even from U.S. officials. However, one U.S. official estimated that Ukrainian casualties are slightly over half of those of Russia, with around 57,500 killed and 250,000 injured.
While specific figures for Russian casualties in September were not detailed, the official described it as the month with the heaviest losses. Military analysts from the U.S. and the U.K. estimate that Russian forces incurred an average of over 1,200 casualties per day, surpassing the peak daily loss rate recorded in May.
Despite these staggering losses, Russian officials claim they are still recruiting approximately 25,000 to 30,000 new soldiers each month, matching the number of troops they are losing on the battlefield. This ongoing recruitment allows Russian forces to maintain a steady stream of offensives against Ukrainian positions in an attempt to wear down their defenses.
U.S. officials highlighted that President Putin is trying to avoid large-scale mobilization to prevent domestic backlash, which is why Russia is offering substantial bonuses and increased salaries to volunteer soldiers. A senior Pentagon official stated, “We’ll just have to see how long he can sustain this strategy.”
The Russian offensive in September involved attempts to advance along the frontlines in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region while also defending against Ukrainian incursions in southern Russia’s Kursk area. Pentagon officials reported that during this period, Russian forces launched concentrated assaults, continually deploying small infantry units into relatively confined areas, creating “rich targets” for Ukrainian forces.
This tactic of overwhelming infantry also plays to Russia’s advantage due to its larger population of 146 million, which is three times that of Ukraine, providing a broader pool for potential recruits. However, U.S. officials warn that the heavy casualties are forcing Russia to rapidly send new recruits to the frontlines, resulting in undertrained soldiers being dispatched to engage in combat.
