The head of the British Army, Roland Walker, has put figures to a reality that has been repeated for months on the Ukrainian front: for every Ukrainian soldier who falls in combat, Russia loses approximately seven troops. Although both Moscow and kyiv handle casualty data for propaganda purposes, different Western estimates suggest that the human cost for the Russian army is much higher.
Walker made these statements during the International Armored Vehicles Conference held in the United Kingdom, where he analyzed how modern land warfare has changed and what lessons the conflict in Ukraine leaves. Its main conclusion is that the battlefield has been transformed by new technologies, especially by the massive use of drones and loitering munitions.
A battlefield dominated by drones
As the British general explained, unmanned systems capable of locating and attacking targets autonomously have become one of the most lethal elements of the conflict. These devices, used by both sides but especially exploited by Ukraine, allow enemy positions to be hit at low cost and with great precision.
During the month of December, estimates made by the British Army put Russian casualties between dead and wounded at more than 33,000, which means more than a thousand soldiers out of combat every day. A very significant part of these losses would be linked to the use of attack drones and loitering munitions.
Walker stressed that, in different phases of the war, artillery was considered the most destructive weapon on the front. However, the spotlight has been shifting towards drones, which allow attacking armored vehicles, defensive positions and even ships without the need for direct contact.
The British officer summarized this new reality in several key points:
- Drones make it possible to attack targets outside the direct line of sight
- Armored units are now more vulnerable than in previous conflicts
- Small teams of operators can stop entire advances
- The cost of destroying vehicles and positions is much lower than with traditional systems
This technological change would explain, in part, the high lethality rate that Ukraine would be achieving against Russian troops.
The difficult calculation of real losses
Accurately determining the number of dead and wounded in the war remains complicated. Russia hardly publishes data and, when it does, it presents figures far below independent estimates. Ukraine, for its part, does not fully detail its losses either.
However, Western estimates place total Russian casualties over the past year at around 415,000, including both dead and wounded. If the seven to one ratio mentioned by Walker is maintained, Ukrainian losses would be significantly smaller.
Even so, analysts remember that the number of wounded usually far exceeds the number of deaths in combat, so the number of out-of-service troops is considerable on both sides. In addition, Russia has demonstrated a remarkable ability to mobilize new soldiers, which explains why the conflict continues after almost four years of fighting.
Modern war is also won far from the front
During his speech, Walker insisted that winning battles no longer depends solely on what happens on the front lines. To prevail in a protracted war, he explained, a sustained national effort is necessary.
The British general summarized this idea with a forceful phrase: armies win battles, but it is countries that win wars. The key is being able to maintain the supply of weapons, ammunition and personnel for long periods.
The conflict in Ukraine has shown the importance of:
- Maintain a constant production of ammunition and weapons
- Quickly replace material and personnel losses
- Protect rear infrastructure
- Sustain the economic and political effort for years
Walker added that modern deterrence is no longer measured only by the presence of troops, but by the ability to resist and regenerate in a protracted conflict.
Despite the enormous human and material losses, Russia continues to show the ability to maintain combat, indicating that the war is far from over. However, if the proportion of casualties indicated by the head of the British Army is maintained, the human cost for Moscow will continue to grow at a rate much higher than that of its Ukrainian adversary.
