Part 5/8:
This brutal calculus doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it's influenced by the unique situation facing both combatants. Ukraine is grappling with personnel shortages, given that many men of fighting age have either fled the country or evaded enlistment. This has created significant challenges for the Ukrainian military, making the recruitment of new soldiers a pressing issue.
Conversely, Russia continues to mobilize approximately 30,000 troops a month, showcasing a more robust pipeline of personnel. However, despite these numbers, Russian military leaders face ongoing pressure to maintain troop morale and combat effectiveness. The prospect of increasing troop fatalities as a strategy might appear counterintuitive but could be, under certain calculations, part of a broader strategy.