**Russia’s Summer Offensive Proves Costly in Terms of Lives Lost**
The ongoing summer campaign by Russia in Ukraine has turned out to be the most expensive for Moscow in terms of lives lost, according to a recent analysis by The Economist. Published on July 9, the analysis reveals that approximately 31,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the beginning of May, when the new offensive was launched.
The objective of this campaign was to advance deeper into eastern Donetsk Oblast and create a buffer zone in northeastern Sumy Oblast. However, despite initial successes, Russia’s efforts have come at an immense cost. The Economist estimates that this summer’s offensive has resulted in more Russian casualties than any other period during the full-scale war in Ukraine.
**Comparing Losses**
The figures reported by The Economist are in line with those provided by Ukraine. According to Ukrainian estimates, over 1 million Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded since the start of the conflict. In comparison, The Economist reports a range of 190,000-350,000 deaths and up to 1.3 million overall casualties among Russian forces.
To put these numbers into perspective, a June research by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that Ukraine’s total casualties during the full-scale war stand at around 400,000, including between 60,000 and 100,000 fatalities.
**Russia Continues to Draw on Reserves**
Despite the high number of losses, Russia continues to rely on its capacity to muster fresh troops and offset the losses. President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine manages to mobilize around 25,000-27,000 troops each month, while Moscow is able to mobilize between 40,000 and 45,000 in the same period.
**Ukraine Faces Multiple Challenges**
Kyiv’s success in holding off a Russian advance into northeastern Sumy Oblast has been reported by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. However, Ukraine faces multiple challenges, including escalating Russian aerial strikes and uncertainties about U.S. support. The Pentagon stockpile review earlier this month led to delays in the delivery of some U.S. aid packages, including Patriot missiles.
**The Road Ahead**
As tensions continue to escalate on the battlefield and uncertainty surrounds international support for Kyiv, one thing is clear: Russia’s summer offensive has come at a staggering cost in lives lost. The Economist analysis serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers on both sides and highlights the complexities of the conflict.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
