Ukraine Claims Major Losses for Russian Forces in One Day

On June 24, 2024, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence reported that Russian forces suffered significant losses on Sunday, with 1,300 soldiers killed in a single day. This event marks one of the deadliest days of combat since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. Ukrainian officials also noted the destruction of 12 tanks, 15 armored fighting vehicles, 51 artillery systems, and 27 drones.

The Ukrainian Ministry estimates that the total Russian casualties in the conflict have now surpassed 535,660 soldiers. This recent spike in casualties aligns with a statement from a NATO official, who mentioned “astronomical” Russian losses during their offensive in the Kharkiv Oblast.

Despite the high number of losses, U.S. Army General Christopher Cavoli indicated that the Russian military has increased in size, now 15 percent larger than at the war’s onset, due in part to changes in conscription laws.

In a related event, Russia accused the U.S. of responsibility after a Ukrainian attack on occupied Crimea killed four people, including two children. The strike involved long-range ATACMS missiles supplied by the U.S. In response, Moscow summoned the U.S. ambassador and condemned the attack as “barbaric.”

The situation remains tense, with both sides continuing to face substantial human and material costs as the conflict persists.