Russia suffers record losses in March in several categories. Serhiy Zgurets’ column

Russian losses in March

The main tasks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are to hold defense lines and stabilize the situation on critical frontlines. As assessed by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, significant progress was made in the Pokrovsk sector in March. According to the general, on certain sections of the front, Ukrainian forces are using active defense tactics, tying down substantial Russian forces, and restoring positions where possible to improve their tactical situation.

As for the figures from last month, Russia managed to occupy just over 130 square kilometers of Ukrainian land, except for Ukrainian forces' withdrawal from the Kursk region. This is the lowest figure since April of last year. Despite a significant number of attacks along the entire line of contact, Russian losses amounted to 41,000 personnel. This is not a record, as higher losses have been observed before, such as 48,000 in one month.

In terms of personnel losses relative to the occupied square kilometers, this is likely one of the highest ratios of Russian losses to territory seized from Ukraine.

The combat month of March also set a record for Russian losses in certain categories, particularly regarding artillery. This includes all types: towed, self-propelled, rocket artillery, and mortars.

                                                                                                                                                                           Russian artillery losses, March 2022-March 2025

This is the infographic showing Russian artillery losses for March. The last red dot marks 1,644 units of destroyed Russian artillery. Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that in just the past week, Russian losses in artillery systems amounted to 408 units, and since the beginning of 2025, Russian occupying troops have lost over 4,000 artillery systems of various types. The main causes of these losses were the accurate work of FPV drones, counter-battery combat, and the professionalism of all components of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

The second most significant loss for Russia is vehicle equipment. Losses of tanks, IFVs, and APCs have decreased, as Russian troops are using them less. It seems the Russians are trying to preserve these units, as Soviet-era equipment supplies are running low. However, losses in vehicle equipment have risen to 3,500 units. This figure includes various types of vehicles, such as civilian cars, tankers, buggies, and ATVs. These are what the Russians use instead of armored vehicles to reach the front line, where they are either destroyed by drones or hit by Ukrainian artillery.

                                                                                                                                                  Russian vehicle equipment losses, March 2022-March 2025

March also had its own characteristics regarding Russia’s use of weaponry, highlighting important trends that cannot be ignored. Three indicators reached their highest levels since the full-scale invasion or over the past 18 months. The first is the record use of glide bombs equipped with planning and correction modules.

In March, 4,300 bombs were used, averaging 138 drops per day on Ukrainian positions or civilian areas. On one day, the Ukrainian General Staff even reported 223 bomb strikes. If Russia truly plans to increase production of these systems to 75,000 per year, then 200 bombs per day could become the new norm, posing a serious threat. This makes it crucial for Ukraine to develop various countermeasures to neutralize Russian long-term advantage.

The second key indicator is the use of FPV drones. Russia deployed 81,000 such drones in March. However, Ukrainian forces are using even more FPV drones. In contrast, when it comes to fiber-optic-guided drones, the Russians currently hold an advantage.

                                                                                                                                                       Russian Shahed-type drone losses, April 2022-March 2025

This infographic covers the use and destruction of Russian Shahed drones. Over the past month, the Russians launched more than 4,198 Shaheds and other drones for attacks. More than 2,500 were destroyed, 1,380 were lost due to localization issues, and about 300 successfully reached their targets despite Ukraine's defenses. Shaheds are becoming more advanced and increasingly resistant to electronic warfare measures.

Notably, on the night of April 1, Russia did not use Shaheds, but this is likely an exception rather than a pattern. The growing number of Russian drones will remain a key aspect of the war, where technological and tactical competition is ongoing. Both sides are adapting their approaches to maximize the effectiveness of their available equipment.

However, statistics are only part of the bigger picture. While there is a decline in Russian armored vehicle usage overall, some frontlines are seeing a significant increase in the deployment of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.

Frontline situation - Borova sector

Recently, we saw a video showing Ukraine's 77th Separate Airmobile Naddniprianska Brigade, which is defending the Borova sector in the Kharkiv region, destroying Russian equipment using various weapons. Russian troops employed a significant number of IFVs and some tanks for offensive operations.

Viktor Petrovych, a serviceman with the 77th Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, reported that on March 27 at 06:00 a.m., Russian troops used weather conditions and dawn — when drones are harder to spot — to advance in a convoy of 16 vehicles, attempting to break through to Ukrainian positions. However, Russian forces first hit minefields, and then Ukrainian FPV drones began dismantling the convoy. This was not a new tactic, as Russian soldiers often try to slip through unnoticed during twilight hours, either in the morning or evening. Despite three weeks of preparation — building up forces, assembling an armored fist, and gathering personnel — the Russian attack was successfully repelled. During these weeks, Ukrainian intelligence tracked Russian troop concentrations and analyzed their actions to determine which areas to mine and where an attack was most likely. In other words, Ukrainian units also conducted thorough preparatory work.

The serviceman added that for three weeks, Ukrainian FPV drones had been effectively working to destroy Russian fortifications along the frontline, expanding the "gray zone." This forced the Russians to concentrate further back, increasing the distance they had to cover. As a result, Ukrainian FPV pilots, Mavic operators, drone bombers, and artillery had more time to eliminate advancing Russian forces. Notably, in the Russian convoy that moved toward Ukrainian positions on March 27, 13 Russian vehicles were destroyed. The assault was repelled flawlessly — Russian troops didn’t even reach the infantry positions.

Viktor Petrovych noted that Russian glide bombs and FPV drones are actively used, with their intensity increasing before the aforementioned attack. The Russians deployed glide bombs to destroy Ukrainian positions, making them easier to capture. Even in rear areas, strict camouflage is necessary due to the ongoing threat of bomb strikes. As for fiber-optic-controlled drones, they are not always applicable. Most operations rely on radio-controlled drones, which, with certain tricks, can bypass electronic warfare (EW). If Ukrainian pilots notice that a Russian convoy is well protected by EW and radio-controlled drones cannot reach it, fiber-optic drones are used. However, once these drones destroy the Russian EW vehicle, the convoy becomes defenseless. That’s why the 77th Separate Airmobile Brigade is raising funds for FPV equipment. Donations help effectively eliminate Russian forces — every contribution is an investment in Russian losses.