Casualty Figures in Ukraine Conflict: Both Kyiv and Moscow Face Heavy Losses

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to significant casualties for both Russian and Ukrainian forces, with the exact figures remaining largely ambiguous. Despite daily reports from both sides regarding enemy losses, official statements concerning their own casualties are infrequent and often lack transparency.

Since the onset of the war, it has become evident that both parties tend to minimize their own losses while exaggerating those of the opponent, making independent verification of casualty numbers virtually impossible. As a result, estimates are the only means available for gauging the scope of the losses.

Recent assessments from NATO indicate that Russian losses have dramatically increased, with estimates suggesting that approximately 900,000 Russian soldiers have either been killed or injured, including around 250,000 fatalities. Reports from February alone suggest over 35,000 Russian losses. These figures reflect not only the intensity of recent military operations but also the expansion of combat zones.

In terms of verified losses, a Russian-language service of the BBC and the independent news outlet Mediazona recently reported that as of April 11, 2025, 101,883 Russian soldiers have been confirmed dead, including nearly 4,842 officers. These statistics are derived from publicly accessible sources, such as social media posts from families, local news reports, and official announcements from regional authorities, indicating that actual losses may be even higher as not all military deaths are publicly disclosed.

To summarize, estimates of Russian military casualties vary widely, with figures ranging from 172,000 dead and 611,000 wounded according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, to as high as 933,980 casualties (killed and wounded) according to the Ukrainian General Staff.

On the Ukrainian side, the toll has also been substantial. In late November 2024, The Economist estimated that Ukraine had suffered between 60,000 and 100,000 military deaths along with 400,000 injuries. Ukrainian war correspondent Yuriy Butusov later reported approximately 70,000 dead and 35,000 missing soldiers, citing sources within the Ukrainian military command.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy provided a specific figure in an interview, stating casualties at 45,100 fatalities and 390,000 injuries. However, Western intelligence suggests that the actual number of Ukrainian fatalities may reach up to 100,000. A project initiated by Mediazona and BBC News Russia, known as UALosses, has confirmed the deaths of 72,274 Ukrainian soldiers as of April 12, 2025.

In summary, the conflict has continued for over three years, and the casualty figures reported on both sides reflect the severe human toll of the ongoing war.