By Vladyslav Khomenko Militarnyi
Russia has lost between 1.3 and 1.5 million people killed and wounded during the full-scale war against Ukraine. The number of Russian military personnel killed alone is estimated at around half a million.
A senior NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported this in comments to the UK Defence Journal on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers’ meeting.
According to the official, Russian losses remain relatively stable, ranging from 30,000 to 35,000 personnel per month. The constant outflow of Russian personnel is becoming increasingly difficult to compensate for due to complex medical logistics and declining voluntary enlistment.
Currently, the Kremlin is seeking new ways to replenish its ranks, especially in infantry assault groups, which are suffering the heaviest losses. To keep its units fully staffed, Russia is increasingly relying on convicts, citizens with debts, and foreigners.
NATO assesses this recruitment model as “barely viable,” as the number of new recruits has already fallen below the monthly loss rate in recent months. Most of the foreign fighters — about 24,000 of whom have been recruited since the war began — are from African countries.
The official emphasized that African recruits are often exploited, with opaque contracts signed under false pretenses. At the same time, their presence is clearly distinguished from the direct participation of North Korean career soldiers in combat operations.
Overall, NATO notes an increase in military, economic, and social pressure on Russia due to fuel shortages and discontent among the elite. Despite this, thanks to support from China, Iran, and North Korea, Moscow is still capable of generating sufficient combat power to continue the war.
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