Russia tries to freeze Ukraine as it suffers record casualties and retreats | Russia-Ukraine war News | Al Jazeera

In September 2026, Russia suffered its highest losses of the year, with 46,230 soldiers killed or wounded, according to the Ukrainian military. This follows a pattern of about 40,000 casualties per month since June, nearing Ukraine's goal of 50,000 Russian casualties per month. Russia reported 2,090 casualties in a single day on September 28, the highest 24-hour rate of the war. Despite setbacks, Russia is attempting to seize remaining areas of Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk regions, where casualties are heaviest, while Ukraine's Third Army Corps has inflicted significant losses around Lyman during a counteroffensive, employing tactics like explosive-filled armored vehicles and feigned attacks.