Ukraine Has Inflicted More Losses On Russia Vs New Recruits For 3 Months Straight

For the third consecutive month, Ukrainian forces have inflicted more losses on Russia than the Kremlin has able to replace with new recruits and conscripts. 

This is important for several reasons: first, it demonstrates that Russia is no longer in a position to advance significantly because it does not possess the troop strength or weaponry to break through. Second, it reveals that Ukrainian defenses and tactics have become even stronger and more effective. And thirdly, it confirms that Ukraine's publicly announced strategy of inflicting more casualties than replacements on Russia is working as intended, which is additional evidence of managerial intelligence and implementation. JL

Yulia Zavadska reports in the Kyiv Post and Demian Shevko reports in New Voice of Ukraine:

Russian military losses have exceeded the number of new recruits joining the Russian army for three consecutive months Despite mobilizing 40,000–43,000 people each month, Russia is losing up to 45,000 troops due to desertions, battlefield casualties, and the growing effectiveness of Ukrainian drone technologies. Russian battlefield losses in January exceeded the occupying army’s ability to replenish its forces by 9,000 troops. Documents indicate a shift in the ratio of killed to wounded troops: out of total losses, 62% are killed and 38% wounded. “The Kremlin has no intention of stopping offensive actions, although it is suffering significant losses on the battlefield, which for three months in a row have exceeded the number of reinforcements joining the Russian army.” 

Russian military losses have exceeded the number of new recruits joining the Russian army for three consecutive months, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky said on Friday, March 13.

Syrsky made the statement after meeting with his Swedish counterpart, General Mikael Claesson, who visited Ukraine to discuss military cooperation and support.

“The Kremlin has no intention of stopping offensive actions, although it is suffering significant losses on the battlefield, which for three months in a row have exceeded the number of reinforcements joining the Russian army,” Syrsky said in a post on Facebook. 

The exact number of either Russian and Ukrainian casualties is unknown. However, a joint investigation by the BBC Russian Service and research group Mediazona put the number of verified Russian losses in Ukraine at 200,186 on Feb. 25.  

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Jan. 22 that Russian losses had reached a record 35,000 killed per month, compared with roughly 14,000 last year.

Despite mobilizing 40,000–43,000 people each month, Russia is losing up to 45,000 troops due to desertions, battlefield casualties, and the growing effectiveness of Ukrainian drone technologies, Zelenskyy said.

Bloomberg previously reported that Russian battlefield losses in January exceeded the occupying army’s ability to replenish its forces by about 9,000 troops.

Syrskyi noted in February that Russian military losses in 2025 had, for the first time, surpassed the number of newly mobilized recruits.

On March 10, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained important documents assessing Russia’s battlefield losses. The documents indicate a shift in the ratio of killed to wounded troops: out of total losses, 62% are killed and 38% wounded.

According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Russia lost about 860 troops over the past day as of the morning of March 13. Total Russian losses in the war against Ukraine are estimated at about 1,277,620 troops killed or wounded.

Sweden, a key defense partner

Syrsky briefed the Swedish commander on the situation along the roughly 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) front line and Ukraine’s needs for weapons and military equipment.

He also thanked Sweden’s government, king and people for its continued military support – including Stockholm’s recently announced 21st military aid package to Ukraine, which is said to include advanced air defense systems, deep-strike capabilities, and ammunition.

Sweden also remains actively involved in several international coalitions supporting Ukraine’s defense sector, including initiatives focused on developing Ukraine’s air force, navy, drone systems, armored vehicles, demining operations and military information technology. 

Syrsky said the cooperation between Ukraine and its NATO partners is contributing to the building of a new security architecture for Europe.

“Together we will win,” he said.