Russia's army in 2024 suffers highest losses in its history: Detailed review

Military and political observer Oleksandr Kovalenko shared his analysis of Russian army losses, published by Obozrevatel.

In December, the occupying Russian forces unsurprisingly set an all-time record for personnel losses. Meanwhile, equipment losses showed a slight decline due to its growing scarcity in the ranks.

Russian personnel losses

In December, Russian forces set an all-time record for personnel losses - 48,670.

Since June, this figure has been steadily increasing, with absolute records set monthly starting in October.

Total losses for 2024 reached 430,790 — exceeding not only the combined losses of 2022 and 2023 but also all Russian army losses over the past 30 years and those of the USSR after World War II combined.

For Russia, and historically for the USSR, this war is the bloodiest.

Tank losses

In December, Russian troops lost 203 tanks, slightly below the average rate maintained throughout 2024. This reflects efforts by Russian forces to conserve main battle tanks of all types due to depleted reserves.

Throughout 2024, Russian forces in Ukraine lost a total of 3,689 tanks, including those destroyed, damaged, and captured.

Armored fighting vehicle losses

In December 2024, Russian forces lost 674 armored fighting vehicles (AFVs). While not a record, it is still a high number, linked to the continued intensity of Russia's offensive actions in the combat zone.

Overall, the issue of reduced use of AFVs in assault operations is similar to that of tanks — they are being conserved.

In total, Russian forces lost 8,956 armored fighting vehicles throughout 2024.

Artillery losses

In December, Russia's artillery losses amounted to 609 units. This is a relatively low figure compared to those observed throughout 2024, due to the growing crisis in replenishing artillery systems and providing the army with the required number of artillery pieces.

Overall, in 2024, Russia lost 13,050 units, setting an absolute record for the entire period of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For comparison, in 2022, Russia lost 1,936 units, and in 2023, the figure was 6,461.

MLRS (multiple launch rocket system) losses

In December, the occupying Russian forces lost 3 MLRS. This low figure is not due to fewer opportunities to compensate for MLRS losses, but rather because their stock replenishment potential is nearly exhausted, with no serial production of new systems.

In total, for 2024, Russia lost 310 MLRS, the lowest figure in the third year of the full-scale war, again due to the depletion of stockpiles and maximal system conservation.

Air defense system losses

In December 2024, Russian forces lost 13 air defense systems, the lowest figure of the year. Currently, they are facing a crisis in air defense, both on the frontlines and within Russia itself.

In total, Russian forces lost 407 air defense systems in 2024.

Vehicle losses

In December, Russian forces lost 2,168 vehicles. While not a record, this is a notable figure, reflecting the growing shortage of tanks, armored vehicles, and military trucks, which are being replaced by civilian vehicles in offensive operations. 

In total, the Russian army lost 21,345 vehicles in 2024, setting an absolute record compared to 2022 and 2023 combined.

Special equipment losses

In December 2024, the number of destroyed special equipment units amounted to 53. While this is a relatively low loss compared to the records set by this category throughout the year, it still indicates a poor situation with such equipment in Russian forces.

In total, in 2024, Russia lost 2,396 units of special equipment.

Russian military losses summary

Over the year, Russian forces in Ukraine lost 50,153 units of equipment destroyed, damaged, or captured. Simplified, this means 8 to 9 Russian soldiers for every lost piece of equipment.

Russian propaganda tries to portray 2024 as a successful year for its forces, highlighting troop advancements and territorial gains. However, it never explains the cost at which these hard-fought locations were captured. Crucially, it also omits telling its citizens that the losses of 2024 will never be replenished, delivering a knockout blow to Russia's military-industrial complex and the future of its army.