Russia’s War Victory in 2024 – 5 Shocking Facts!

The Russo-Ukrainian war has been nothing short of a gripping, high-stakes drama that seems like it might never end. Over the years, we’ve seen moments of resilience, despair, and shocking twists that keep the world on edge. But 2024 turned out to be a year unlike any other—a year that tipped the scales in Russia’s favor in ways nobody expected.

Surprising developments on the battlefield—like the strategic fall of Avdiivka after a nearly decade-long stand, Ukraine’s bold but costly raid into Russian territory, and the systematic targeting of key infrastructure—reveal the shocking realities of 2024.

Far from a straightforward narrative of aggression and defense, this year was marked by complex maneuvers, evolving strategies, and the undeniable weight of attrition.

How did Russia manage to gain the upper hand after years of sanctions, resistance from a determined Ukraine, and near-universal condemnation? What lessons does 2024 teach about the delicate balance of power in an increasingly fractured world?

Let’s delve into five startling facts that defined Russia’s apparent victory in 2024!

1. Winter Offensive: The Fall of Avdiivka

Avdiivka, a long-standing fortress of Ukrainian defense near Donetsk, finally fell to Russian forces in February 2024. For nearly a decade, this heavily industrialized town had been a cornerstone of Kyiv’s defensive line, bolstered by its elevated terrain, robust infrastructure, and fortified underground facilities. However, after months of relentless assaults, Russia’s persistence paid off.

Initially, Russian forces attempted a traditional encirclement strategy, advancing through key routes around Avdiivka. However, Ukraine’s use of modern technologies—including drones, precision weaponry, and advanced communication—frustrated these efforts.

Recognizing the limitations of conventional tactics, Russian commanders adopted a new approach: deploying smaller, highly mobile assault groups backed by heavy artillery and air support. This strategy drained Ukrainian resources and morale over time.

By mid-February, Russian troops broke into the heart of Avdiivka, splitting the city in two and pushing Ukrainian forces to pull back. Taking control of the massive Avdiivka Coke Plant was the final blow that ended the battle.

Russia’s fresh tactics showed just how much their military strategy had evolved, proving that traditional defenses can only go so far in today’s modern warfare.

2. Spring’s Technological War: Long-Range Strikes Escalate

In 2024, the war shifted into a whole new level with long-range precision strikes becoming the name of the game. Both Ukraine and Russia turned up the heat, targeting each other’s critical infrastructure and cities with advanced tech to gain an edge.

Ukraine utilized NATO-supplied missiles and domestically produced drones capable of traveling over 1,500 kilometers to target Russian cities, fuel depots, and refineries. These strikes weren’t constant, but when they landed, they caused major disruptions deep inside Russian territory. 

In return, Moscow ramped up its missile attacks on Ukraine, going all out to dismantle the country’s energy grid. By April, five of Ukraine’s seven major thermal power plants and several hydroelectric facilities were destroyed, pushing the nation’s energy infrastructure to collapse.

Moscow’s approach became increasingly sophisticated, involving multi-day operations with decoy drones and hypersonic missiles to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. Beyond energy targets, they zeroed in on command centers and military bases, forcing Ukraine to pull resources from the frontlines to protect its backlines. Despite Ukraine’s efforts to adapt, the damage to civilian infrastructure and public morale proved severe.

3. Summer’s Bold Gamble: Ukraine’s Kursk Offensive

In August 2024, Ukraine launched a surprise offensive into Russia’s Kursk region, aiming to exploit vulnerabilities along the poorly defended border.

Ukrainian forces achieved initial success, capturing approximately 1,000 square kilometers of sparsely populated territory, including the small town of Sudzha. Western media lauded this operation as a sign of Ukraine’s resilience and ability to strike back.

However, the strategic gains of this offensive were short-lived. Ukrainian forces quickly encountered logistical hurdles and fierce resistance from Russian reinforcements. By the end of summer, Russian counterattacks had recaptured nearly half of the lost territory.

More critically, the operation drained Ukraine’s elite brigades, leaving other critical fronts in Donbas and Zaporizhzhia vulnerable to Russian advances.

For Moscow, the Kursk offensive was a wake-up call to reinforce its border defenses. Russia quickly moved to deploy more troops and build fortifications, turning what could’ve been a setback into a chance to strengthen its strategic depth.

On the flip side, the offensive showed just how tough it was for Kyiv to keep up major attacks while dealing with shrinking resources.

4. Autumn and Winter: Precision Strikes Shape the Battlefield

After securing Avdiivka, Russian forces shifted to a strategy of sustained pressure across the entire front line. By identifying weak points in Ukrainian defenses and exploiting them with precision, Moscow made steady territorial gains.

By the end of 2024, Russia had recaptured six cities and 12 urban settlements, marking its most significant advances since the early days of the war in 2022. One of the most notable operations of this period was the capture of Kurakhovo, which spanned over 1,200 square kilometers.

Using precision-guided munitions, heavy artillery, and reconnaissance drones, Russian forces systematically targeted Ukrainian command posts, ammunition depots, and troop concentrations.

This strategy disrupted Kyiv’s ability to mount coordinated defenses and forced it to make difficult decisions about where to allocate its shrinking resources.

Russia’s increasing reliance on guided bombs and drones proved particularly effective. These tools allowed Moscow to maintain pressure on multiple fronts simultaneously, creating a crisis for Ukrainian logistics and manpower. While the advances came at a cost to Russia’s own resources, the results demonstrated the growing efficacy of its multi-faceted approach.

5. A Bleak Outlook for Ukraine in 2025

As 2024 came to a close, Ukraine’s armed forces found themselves in their most precarious position since the start of the war. Severe shortages of weapons and manpower, rising desertion rates, and plummeting morale painted a grim picture for Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Russia’s strategy of attrition seemed to be achieving its objectives, with steady territorial gains and the systematic degradation of Ukraine’s military capabilities.

Looking ahead to 2025, the key question is whether Russia can sustain its current momentum. Moscow’s reliance on volunteer forces and limited mobilization has thus far proven effective, but the long-term sustainability of this approach remains uncertain.

Should the need arise, the Kremlin may opt for broader mobilization or increased domestic production to maintain its operational intensity.

Conversely, Western powers may push for a ceasefire to prevent further escalation. However, Russia has made it clear that it will only accept terms that favor its strategic objectives.

For now, Moscow’s strategy is clear: maintain relentless pressure until Ukraine’s defenses collapse. Whether this results in a decisive victory or a prolonged stalemate will depend on both sides’ ability to adapt to the ever-evolving dynamics of the conflict.