Heavy Casualties, New Era Under Trump, and Fears of Forced Resolution

Heavy Casualties and New Era Under Trump

The war in Ukraine continues to rage, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Ukraine's military chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, claims that 150,000 Russian troops were killed in 2024, bringing the total Russian casualties to 819,000. This figure includes both killed and wounded soldiers.

Russia has made some gains in eastern Ukraine, but at a significant cost. Moscow's Defence Ministry claims that Russian troops have taken control of the villages of Shevchenko and Novoiehorivka, but these reports have not been independently verified.

Meanwhile, a leading war monitor, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), reports that Russia is recruiting unskilled men and women to boost its manpower on the frontline. This suggests that Russia is struggling to maintain its troop levels in the face of heavy losses.

With the inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States, a new era in American-Ukrainian relations has begun. Kyiv fears that Trump may try to force a rushed resolution to the war, potentially at the expense of Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Trump has previously stated that he believes the war could be over within 24 hours if he were president. He now aims to bring an end to the war within 100 days of his presidency.

As the war enters its third year, the situation remains fluid and unpredictable. Both sides are likely to continue suffering heavy casualties in the months ahead. The outcome of the war will have a significant impact on the security of Europe and the world.