More Than A Million Russian Troops Killed in Ukraine

A recent report by CSIS (the Center for Strategic and International Studies), reported by CNN, says that a stunning 1.2 million Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine since Russia invaded the country four years ago, a scale of losses that the researchers describe as unprecedented for a major military power since World War II. According to the analysis, the casualty rate reflects the intensity and duration of the conflict, with repeated large-scale offensives, entrenched front lines, and tactics that have resulted in sustained and exceptionally high human costs. CSIS notes that such losses are virtually without modern precedent for a state with Russia’s military size and resources, underscoring the depth of the war’s impact on Moscow’s armed forces and raising questions about the long-term sustainability of its campaign in Ukraine.

Data from the CSIS report highlight another striking imbalance in the war’s human cost, showing that Ukraine is estimated to have lost between 500,000 and 600,000 troops, while Russia’s death toll surpasses Ukraine’s by a ratio of roughly 2-to-1. The assessment underscores the scale of Russian losses relative to its battlefield gains and manpower strategy. According to comments cited from Britain’s deputy ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, James Ford, Russian military casualties, including those killed and wounded, now exceed the country’s sustainable recruitment and replacement rates. Analysts warn that this imbalance is not only straining Russia’s armed forces but is also beginning to weigh on the broader economy, as prolonged mobilization, labor shortages, and rising military expenditures place increasing pressure on domestic growth and long-term stability.

Over the past year, the conflict has entered a new phase shaped in part by Donald Trump’s return to the White House and his public framing of the war. Trump has repeatedly presented Russia as holding the upper hand, stressing Ukraine’s dependence on Western aid and casting doubt on Kyiv’s ability to sustain the fight. This narrative contrasts with assessments from Western analysts, including CSIS, which note that despite the scale of the war and massive losses, Russia has increased the amount of Ukrainian territory under its control by only about 12% since 2022. The limited territorial gains, measured against the human and economic cost of the conflict, have fueled debate among allies over how the war is being portrayed politically, particularly as evidence continues to point to heavy Russian casualties and growing strain on Moscow’s military and economy.