Russian military rebuilds despite staggering losses in Ukraine

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been marked by horrific casualties and a brutal military culture that normalizes violence. Over 400,000 Russian soldiers have died during the conflict, yet their numbers seem to be replenishing at an alarming rate. The Russian leadership's expectations for a swift victory were dashed, leading to a protracted conflict that has stretched for over three years, with more than one million casualties reported on both sides. Despite these staggering losses, the Russian military is reportedly larger now than at the beginning of the conflict. Commanders are treating soldiers as 'disposable infantry', leading to a systemic cycle of violence both externally towards Ukrainians and internally among soldiers themselves. This brutal military environment fosters a culture of extreme obedience and minimal dissent, with soldiers often facing self-inflicted violence and mistreatment. Reconstituting its forces, the Kremlin has shifted towards a strategy of attrition, deploying waves of troops to maintain pressure on Ukrainian defenses. With numbers now exceeding 600,000 on the contact line, Russia's military presence in Ukraine has reached its highest levels since the war began. This rebuilding effort is coupled with significant investments in military resources, including replacing lost combat vehicles and munitions. The ongoing conflict demonstrates a concerning trend in how warfare is being conducted, emphasizing human cost and the willingness to perpetuate a cycle of violence at great expense. As the conflict drags on, the normalization of such military actions raises questions about long-term implications for the Russian military structure and its operations in the region.