Russia sets new records for losses in its war against Ukraine in July

Oleksandr Kovalenko, military and political observer with the Information resistance group, shared his analysis of Russia's losses in July, 2024.

Personnel losses

In July, the Russian contingent experienced its second-highest casualties, with 35,680 personnel lost. This figure resulted not only from intense combat operations but also from equipment shortages, as many assaults were carried out with minimal mechanized support. For the third consecutive month in 2024, losses exceeded 35,000, aligning with Russia's average monthly mobilization potential, indicating that manpower replacement has been either zero or negative.

Tank losses

Russian forces lost 300 tanks in July. While this number is not a record, it reflects the Russian command's efforts to minimize the use of main battle tanks during assaults. The reduction in tank deployment naturally leads to fewer losses, though the figure still significantly impacts the depletion of operational vehicles. These are replenished at a rate of about 300 units per month, with a decreasing trend.

Losses of armoured fighting vehicles

In July, Russian losses of armored fighting vehicles totaled 653 units. Although this figure isn't a record, it reflects the command's efforts to conserve equipment. However, with the Russian forces going "all in," there may be increased use and higher losses of armored fighting vehicles in August.

Barrel artillery losses

In July, the Russian forces set a record for barrel artillery losses at 1,520 units, surpassing the previous records of 1,415 in June and 1,160 in May. While these losses don't always mean complete destruction, they render the units combat-ineffective and highlight the strain on Russia's ability to maintain its artillery systems.

MLRS losses

The Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed 21 Russian MLRS in July. This relatively low figure is anticipated to remain consistent, as the Russians are positioning these systems further from the front line, making them more difficult to target with counter-battery fire.

Air defence losses

Russian troops lost 33 air defence systems in July. Although not a record, this average rate of destruction has been impossible for the Russian military-industrial complex to compensate for, leading to a critical shortage of air defence equipment.

Vehicle losses

In July, Russia set an all-time record for road transport losses, with 2,103 vehicles, surpassing the previous record of 1,831 set in May. This increase is attributed to Russian forces using civilian vehicles to compensate for the shortage of armored vehicles during assaults.

Losses of special vehicles

In July, special vehicle losses ranked second with 265 units. The rise in losses of special equipment has been notable since early 2024, with three records set in the first half of the year. Reports suggest Russia may have requested North Korean engineering brigades to offset these losses, indicating severe degradation of their engineering capabilities.

July continued the trend of record-setting and consistently high losses for the Russian military.

"The Ukrainian Defense Forces' defensive strategy is effectively depleting the occupying forces, aiming to erode their offensive and defensive capabilities. Based on current trends, this critical depletion for the Russian forces is projected for 2025, potentially shifting Ukraine's strategy from a defensive to a more offensive approach. The demilitarization and denazification of the Russian army are progressing as planned," the observer concluded.