Ukraine Inflicts Latest 'Deadliest Day of War' on Russia, 3rd Record In 6 Weeks

Russia suffered its worst day of casualties in Ukraine yesterday - but that was the third record for deaths and wounded in one day in the last three weeks, underscoring how profligate the Kremlin has been with its troops' lives as it attempts to make gains before a ceasefire is imposed. JL

Jordan King reports in Newsweek:

Russian forces lost 2,200 soldiers on December 20, the highest number of casualties recorded in a single day since Moscow launched its war on Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The two previous days in which Russia suffered its highest casualties were in the past six weeks—November 11 and 29, when 2,030 soldiers died. Pyongyang's troops have "now become Putin's cannon fodder."

Russian forces lost 2,200 soldiers on December 20, the highest number of casualties recorded in a single day since Moscow launched its full-scale war on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, according to Ukrainian authorities.

 

Why It Matters

Moscow has long been thought to be struggling with dwindling manpower, especially with its use of what has become known as "meat-grinder" assaults on Ukrainian defensive positions in the east, which generally have high casualty counts.

The two previous days in which Russia suffered its highest casualties were in the past six weeks—November 11 and 29, when 2,030 soldiers died.

What To Know

 

The Defense of Ukraine posted the new deadliest toll on Friday, saying: "We make the occupiers pay the highest price for their terror."

It is difficult to independently verify battlefield casualties, and neither Russia nor Ukraine offer regular updates on how many fighters in their own ranks have been killed or injured.

In total, 772,620 Russian personnel have been killed since February 24, 2022, according to Ukrainian authorities.

 

What People Are Saying

The Defense of Ukraine quoted Charles Buxton, an English brewer, philanthropist, writer and member of Parliament, as saying: "In life, as in chess, forethought wins."

William Freer, a research fellow in national security at the U.K.-based think tank the Council on Geostrategy, previously told Newsweek: "Both Russia and Ukraine have been facing serious problems with personnel numbers.

"After the supply of ammunition, replacing casualties is the second most important aspect for both sides in winning a war of attrition."

 

What Happens Next

Ukraine has endured more than 1,000 days of conflict with Russia, which has steadily advanced westward, inflicting significant damage to the country's energy grid and straining its military capabilities.

Donald Trump's election as president has raised questions about Ukraine's fate after close to three years of war against Russia.

On Thursday, European Union leaders said no decisions regarding Ukraine's future can be made without its direct involvement. The declaration came during a summit in Brussels with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasizing solidarity with the war-torn nation.

 

Rumors of peace talks slated for early 2025 have stirred speculation about the potential deployment of European peacekeepers. However, EU leaders are cautious not to disclose their strategies publicly, emphasizing the need to empower Ukraine for negotiations.

Russian servicemen take part in counter-UAV training for soldiers using the skeet shooting method before departing for Russia's military operation in Ukraine, on December 19. Russia suffered its deadliest day of the war on December...  AP

Russia has seemingly sought to address the personnel losses by bringing in troops from North Korea, with Pyongyang deploying more than 12,000 soldiers to the front lines in Kursk.

A new report from South Korea's spy agency released on Thursday said that at least 100 North Korean troops have been killed after being dispatched to Russia to fight in the war on Ukraine, and another 1,000 have been injured.

 

This comes after an expert told Newsweek that Pyongyang's troops have "now become Putin's cannon fodder."