Ukrainian forces have suffered approximately 593,410 casualties in 2024, as reported by RIA Novosti citing calculations based on data from the Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday. 

The ministry's weekly reports show that in the early months of 2024, Ukraine was losing around 4,000 soldiers per week. This number increased to 7,000 by March, before slightly declining.

In March, Ukrainian forces also attempted incursions across the Russian border in Belgorod and Kursk, resulting in an additional loss of around 3,000 troops, as per the report.

Following these incidents, Ukrainian casualties continued to rise, reaching more than 10,000 per week by late May, and remained at this level or higher thereafter. After an attack on Russia’s Kursk region in August, Ukrainian losses surged further.

The heaviest weekly toll occurred between October 26 and November 1, with around 17,000 Ukrainian soldiers reported killed.

Ukrainian troops report leadership failures amid rising desertions

Ukrainian forces are facing severe losses and an increase in desertions within the special operation zone, with soldiers voicing frustration over unreliable commanders and insufficient equipment,  Financial Times reported earlier this month.

“We arrived [in Ugledar] with just automatic rifles. They said there would be 150 tanks; there were 20 ... and nothing to cover us,” a Ukrainian officer said, as quoted by FT.