According to this graph, there has been a decrease every month so far this year, including in January. Yet by chopping it by year, it appears as an increase (since 2024 ended so high).

To be clear, I'm not disagreeing that this could well be the deadliest year so far for Russia, or that there are very real seasonal differences between Spring and Summer fighting that could make this the deadliest year. Only pointing out how data can push varying narratives depending on how it's presented. Always use critical thinking when you see data visualized.

Slava Ukraini

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 8 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

According to this graph, there has been a decrease every month so far this year,

Increase in March, and the general winter trend is lower casualties than the rest of the year. Which was always expected from the beginning of the war, but Russia chose to escalate even during winter periods in previous years.

I’m not disagreeing that this could well be the deadliest year so far for Russia,

For sure it's the deadliest first 4 moths, with every month being clearly above previous years. And clearly increasing each year.

Obviously we don't know yet how the rest of the year will be but:

Daily average:
2024 last year: 846+983+910+899 = 3638
2025 This year: 1556+1255+1328+1209 = 5348

Difference 5348-3638*100/3638 = 47%

Doesn't look like that much on the graph IMO, but that's an increase of almost 50% already compared to first 4 months last year!
Russia is short of everything, so it wouldn't be too strange if they began to have a shortage of soldiers too. But if Russia makes a new mobilization effort, this number will probably increase again.

[–] jabathekek@sopuli.xyz 9 points 4 days ago (2 children)

It's almost as if assaulting Ukrainian positions using ladas and motorbikes increases the casualties... 🤔

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 5 points 4 days ago

I don't think the best equipped are the main problem though. 😜

[–] thebestaquaman@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

It's very telling when you look at the plots of the equipment losses in different categories. Especially ATV's, cars and motorcycles started significantly increasing last year, while AFV's, APC's and tanks were going down. There's a very clear shift in the equipment the russians are using.