New Russian soldiers on the front line are killed just 20–35 minutes after entering combat. It takes between 10 days and three weeks from the signing of their contract to their death.
- Russian conscripts survive on the front line for just 20–35 minutes.
- It takes between 10 days and 3 weeks from the signing of the contract to the death.
- Every day, Russia recruits 800–1,000 new contract soldiers.
- The high number of casualties is linked to the extensive use of drones.
- The Russian economy is under pressure due to rising military spending.
From signing the contract to his death — just a few weeks
According to data According to Western media reports, new Russian conscripts who join the army undergo brief training and find themselves on the front line within just a few days. According to military bloggers, the time between signing a contract and being killed ranges from 10 days to three weeks. This indicates an extremely high casualty rate among recruits.
«The survival time for individual soldiers may be as little as 20–35 minutes after entering combat,» notes the historian Peter Frankopan.
Russia is increasing contract payments
Despite the record losses, Russia continues to recruit new contract soldiers. According to military bloggers, around 800–1,000 volunteers are being recruited every day. To encourage recruitment, potential contract soldiers are being offered one-off payments of up to 80,000 dollars, which is significantly higher than the average wage in the country.
Drones are changing the course of the war
Analysts point out that Ukraine’s widespread use of drones has been one of the key factors contributing to the Russian army’s losses. Ukrainian forces are also carrying out strikes on military targets deep within Russian territory, further weakening its military capabilities.
Warning about the risks to Russia
Experts, including Peter Frankopan, are warning of the growing strain on the Russian economy. The Kremlin may find itself faced with a choice between further escalation of the conflict and domestic economic difficulties. Growing discontent amongst the troops is also a cause for concern.
Why it matters
These estimates confirm the extent to which technology, particularly drones, has transformed the nature of modern warfare. Some of the data is based on reports from Russian military bloggers and assessments by Western experts, which cannot be independently verified in a war zone.
