{
  "id": 19665112,
  "title": "Why Russian losses in Ukraine are surging — again",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/why-russian-losses-in-ukraine-are-surging-again",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T15:08:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Independent",
    "slug": "kyiv-independent",
    "url": "https://kyivindependent.com/why-russian-losses-in-ukraine-are-surging-again/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces have reported a sharp rise in casualties in Ukraine. In October, the Kremlin hit its highest monthly personnel loss, with 2,980 soldiers dying on November 8 alone. This surge in Russian military operations around the city of Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast has continued, with around 200 troops killed daily in October. The cause, according to the 1st Azov Corps, is inflexible orders handed down by senior commanders. These \"take-by-date\" orders force lower-level troops to launch attacks on previously targeted routes, regardless of success. Such unrealistic deadlines are a key reason for the high number of casualties, the corps claims. Russian President Vladimir Putin has timed offensives around summits, including recent talks in Abu Dhabi. This is a negotiating tactic to convince Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump's envoys that agreeing to surrender territory is not a concession. Russian President Putin has also stated that he needs time to completely occupy the eastern part of Ukraine. As Russian losses mount, the quality of troops Ukraine faces has also decreased, according to the 1st Azov Corps. Adverse weather conditions and reduced effectiveness of Ukrainian drones are also contributing factors. Reports suggest Russia has suffered over 1.6 million losses since the invasion began, making it nearly four times higher than the total U.S. combat fatalities since 1945.",
  "summary": "As the U.S., Ukraine and Russia wrap up trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending the war, Russian battlefield losses continue to mount for another week. After October saw Russian forces suffer their highest monthly personnel losses since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Kremlin set another grim record in November, losing 2,980 troops in a single day on Nov. 8. The intensification of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ukrinform - Politics",
        "title": "Ukraine's intelligence exposes Russian agents of influence in EU countries",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/ukraines-intelligence-exposes-russian-agents-of-influence-in-eu",
        "published": "2026-11-11T22:39:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Interfax-Ukraine",
        "title": "Russian forces strike apartment building in Odesa – regional administration",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/russian-forces-strike-apartment-building-in-odesa-regional",
        "published": "2026-11-12T10:19:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Russian drone attack damages customs facility in western Ukraine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/russian-drone-attack-damages-customs-facility-in-western-ukraine",
        "published": "2026-11-12T12:17:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euromaidan Press",
        "title": "Russia fires Iskanders at Ukraine. A satellite image shows what Ukraine’s missiles left of a building at a Russian plant that makes their parts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/russia-fires-iskanders-at-ukraine-a-satellite-image-shows-what",
        "published": "2026-11-12T13:02:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "'We've got to run': Inside ruined Ukraine power plant under constant drone threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/weve-got-to-run-inside-ruined-ukraine-power-plant-under-constant",
        "published": "2026-11-12T13:02:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Ukraine: Russian drone attack sparks major fire in Kyiv residential building",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/ukraine-russian-drone-attack-sparks-major-fire-in-kyiv-residential",
        "published": "2026-11-12T14:26:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}