Key Points – Russia’s combat casualties in Ukraine are projected to reach the “grisly milestone” of one million this summer, according to a recent Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report.
-This staggering figure, which includes up to an estimated 250,000 Russian soldiers killed, comes at an exorbitant cost for minimal territorial gain, with Russia’s rate of advance in some areas being slower than in World War I.
-Despite these losses and a reconstituting army that is now 15% larger than when it invaded, Russia’s attritional strategy is deemed unsustainable by some analysts due to the immense strain on its economy and personnel.
Pressure Cooker For Putin: Russian Officials Silent as Ukraine Claims Bombshell Death Toll
Over a million Russian soldiers have reportedly been killed or wounded since the country began its invasion of Ukraine in March 2022. The whopping figures were published on Thursday by Ukraine’s General Staff.
Toll Uncertain
The figures from Ukraine are difficult to independently verify. Still, they are often echoed by Western governments. Back in April, British officials estimated that Russian losses had reached around 920,000. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a respected U.S.-based think tank, described the one-million mark as a “grisly milestone,” noting it likely includes up to 250,000 Russian dead.
Independent Russian outlet Mediazona, working with the BBC’s Russian service, has confirmed at least 111,387 Russian military deaths based on publicly available records.
However, they caution the true toll is far higher, as many deaths are not formally acknowledged by Russian authorities.
Moscow Remains Silent
Russian officials have remained silent. The Defense Ministry has not issued a response to Ukraine’s claims. In past statements, Moscow has downplayed casualty figures and emphasized strategic gains, though these appear limited.
Since January 2024, Russia has gained only around one percent more Ukrainian territory, according to CSIS estimates, despite enormous losses.
Fighting has recently intensified around Donetsk and along the border with Dnipropetrovsk. Russia claims to be advancing westward and carving out what it calls a “buffer zone.” Ukrainian officials dispute these claims, calling them exaggerated and insisting that any recent Russian attempts to push further into Dnipropetrovsk have been repelled.
Casualty Pace Soars, Details Unclear
What’s clear is that the pace of casualties has surged. Ukrainian figures suggest Russia sustained more than 628,000 casualties in the past 18 months alone. In 2022, daily Russian losses averaged about 340. That figure jumped to 693 in 2023 and rose again to nearly 1,200 in 2024. So far in 2025, the average has climbed to over 1,280 per day.
Despite these figures, analysts believe the Kremlin has little intention of scaling back. With conscription cycles ongoing and incentives for contract soldiers, Russia still maintains a deep reserve of manpower. However, public patience may be wearing thin.
A 2022 mobilization of 300,000 reservists triggered rare street protests. The Kremlin has since avoided further large-scale drafts, wary of stirring unrest.
Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, said President Putin fears that sooner or later, Russians will begin asking why so many lives were lost. “That fear,” he said, “is part of why he keeps going.”
About the Author:
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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