World

Russia losing 6,000 more troops per month than it can recruit in Ukraine

Herz — World Desk · 28 August 2026 at 17:32 · 30s summary · 3 min read

The essentials

Russia is losing approximately 6,000 more soldiers per month in Ukraine than it can recruit, according to Western officials cited by The Guardian. The Russian military recruits about 1,000 people daily, a pace insufficient over the past two months to replace casualties. Moscow has launched over 360 missiles against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure since early July. A new mobilization would present significant political, economic, and operational risks for Putin's government.

Russia's monthly troop deficit reaches approximately 6,000 soldiers.
The military recruits around 1,000 people daily, below replacement levels.
Over 360 missiles have been fired at Ukraine since early July.
A new mobilization would pose significant political and economic risks.

What we know

Russia is currently losing approximately 6,000 more soldiers per month in Ukraine than it can recruit, according to Western officials cited by The Guardian.

The Russian military recruits about 1,000 people daily for combat. Over the past two months, these arrivals have failed to replace soldiers killed or wounded.

Putin's stated objective remains a war of attrition. He hopes that Russian threats and public concern will erode support for Kyiv among its allies.

Strikes on Ukraine

Since early July, Russia has launched over 360 missiles against Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure. Moscow is exploiting Kyiv's lack of defenses against ballistic missiles.

A Western official estimates that Moscow will attempt to break Ukrainian morale this winter by destroying the country's energy infrastructure.

Ukraine has repeatedly attacked Russian oil-related facilities, causing fuel shortages. Kyiv is requesting more offensive missiles and air defense systems from its allies.

The risks of renewed mobilization

A new mobilization would present significant political and economic risks to Vladimir Putin, according to Western officials.

The fall 2022 mobilization led to the departure of approximately one million Russians, often highly skilled. Fewer than half have returned.

A new mobilization could bring in hundreds of thousands of recruits. However, the military's ability to absorb them remains uncertain due to shortages of equipment and officers.

Britain's support for Kyiv

Andy Burnham traveled to Kyiv this week for his first foreign trip as prime minister, where he met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The United Kingdom will provide Ukraine with previously classified information about British components of long-range cruise missiles.

Burnham called on the international community to better protect Ukraine. He specifically requested more air defense systems manufactured in the United States.

He is expected to make this case next month at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Russian threats against Britain

Russia has repeatedly threatened retaliation, mentioning potential attacks on British military targets in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Western officials believe that Putin wishes to avoid direct military confrontation with the alliance to which Britain belongs. This desire would limit any Russian action.

Russia retains the capacity to target Britain through cyberattacks or attacks by proxy against civilian sites such as factories and warehouses.

Last year, six men were imprisoned for their role in a Russia-commissioned attack in east London. The targeted warehouse contained aid destined for Ukraine.