What is Behind Russia's Ability to Sustain Military Power Despite Heavy Losses

For the Kremlin, lives are dispensible

As the fighting in Ukraine grinds on, Russia has lost many more men than in any other war it has waged since the Second World War.

According to recently declassified U.S. intelligence, 87 percent of its pre-war force of 360,000 have succumbed to death or injury since the full-scale invasion in late February 2022. In December alone, Kyiv computed Russian casualties to 29,970 – the highest death toll since the war started. Last year proved significantly more deadly than the year prior.

Still, military officials conceded that Moscow exhibited a greater “resilience” than many anticipated at the beginning of the war. So, how has Russia been able to sustain its war commitment? Utilizing desperate and firm-fisted measures.