08/1/2024 – Translated from Ukrainian via Google and OFP
In July 2024, the Russian occupying forces suffered serious losses both in terms of personnel and equipment. It is quite expected that these indicators set very high and even record values in a number of categories.
More details about this, as well as how and why it turned out to be possible – in the material of the joint project of OBOZ.UA and the “Information Resistance” group.
Personnel losses
In July, the Russian occupation contingent suffered not a record number, but the second highest number of losses – 35,680 people.
This was a consequence of both the high intensity of hostilities of the ROV and the problem with equipping equipment. A significant part of the assault operations of the DOM units last month had to be carried out without sufficient support of the mechanized component or without it at all.
In general, for the third month in a row in 2024, the losses of the occupying forces exceed 35,000 people. This, by the way, corresponds to the possibilities of the average monthly mobilization potential in Russia. That is, for the third month in a row in Russia, the compensation for losses of the o/s is either zero or negative.
Tank losses
In July, the Russian invaders lost 300 tanks. This is not a record figure and is due to the fact that the Russian command is trying to save and minimize the use of main battle tanks during assault operations. And if fewer tanks began to be brought to the front, then where do we start with records?
However, even this indicator is significant and has a sufficient impact on the depletion of MBT components, which the Russian military-industrial complex supplies to the combat zone in the amount of up to 300 units per month with a gradual decrease.
Losses of combat armored vehicles
BBM losses from the occupiers in July amounted to 653 units. As with tanks, this is not a record, which is also related to the attempts of the ROV command to save equipment.
But taking into account the rate of ROV on all-in, it is not excluded that in August the use of BBM by the enemy will be intensified and losses at the end of the summer may increase sharply.
Losses of barrel artillery
In July, the Russian occupying forces set another absolute record for barrel artillery losses – 1,520. The previous record for the entire period of full-scale war was in June – 1415, and before that in May – 1160!
I want to point out right away that losses are not one hundred percent destruction of artillery systems, in most cases they are damages that for some time put the unit out of combat condition, but at the same time maintain its repairability.
There are still enough artillery systems in warehouses and storage centers in Russia that they can restore and send to the war zone. The amount for monthly zero compensation will be enough for about a year of active hostilities. But at the same time, the quality of the transferred products will decrease, and therefore, losses will either increase or remain at a fairly high level.
Losses of MLRS
In July, the Defense Forces of Ukraine destroyed 21 Russian rocket launchers.
This is traditionally a rather low figure, and it is unlikely that we will see new records in the category of destruction of this equipment before the end of the war. This is due to the fact that there are not so many of these MLRS left in the ROV (as well as barrel artillery), and the occupiers are trying to place them not in the near zone along the line of battle, but at the extreme distance to complicate their damage or destruction by counter-battery fire.
Air defense losses
During July, the Russian invaders lost 33 air defense systems.
This is not an absolute record, but an average statistical indicator of the destruction of means of this category, which does not allow the Russian military-industrial complex to compensate for them. In general, air defense losses of the occupying troops of the aggressor country have long been compensated not even to zero, but steadily in the negative every month.
Air defense is precisely the category that is already experiencing a critical shortage of equipment.
Motor vehicle losses
In July, the ROV set an absolute record for road transport losses – 2,103.
The previous record was set in May – 1831. As I explained earlier, such a record number of lost vehicles is due to the fact that the Russians are trying to compensate for the lack of armored vehicles with civilian vehicles during assault operations.
The result is obvious.
Losses of special equipment
In July, the category of special equipment took a certain “silver” – 265.
The increase in losses of special equipment from the occupiers has been recorded since the beginning of 2024. In the first half of the year alone, three absolute records were set for losses in this category.
At the end of June, information appeared about Russia’s alleged request to North Korea to send North Korean engineering teams to Ukraine. So far, there is no official confirmation of this information, but if it is so, then there is nothing surprising in it. In fact, today the Russian engineering troops are not functional due to high losses. Apparently, this is the first type of troops of the ROV that lost its functionality in this war.
Conclusions
July did not change the trends at the same time, both in setting record indicators of losses in the DOM, and maintaining a stably high level.
It is obvious that the command of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, while maintaining the defense strategy, is achieving the main goal of the 2024 campaign – exhausting the occupying forces, bringing them to a state of loss of offensive and defensive capabilities.
Taking into account the available indicators, it is safe to say that this critical moment for the ROV will come in 2025, and it is possible that it is then that the defense strategy of the ROV will change to a slightly different format for conducting hostilities.
The demilitarization and denazification of the Russian army is proceeding according to plan.
Ukraine’s increased number of drones and artillery ammunition is having a devastating impact on roach equipment and meat losses. That, and their reckless use of their assets, is draining their capabilities by the day.