Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now entering its fifth year, has become Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, causing widespread suffering and fundamentally altering the post-Cold War security landscape.
Conflict by the Numbers
- Approximately 1.8 million soldiers have been killed, wounded, or are missing on both sides.
- Roughly 14,999 civilians have been confirmed killed, though the actual number is likely higher.
- Russia currently occupies 19.4% of Ukrainian land.
The fighting shows no signs of abating as it enters its fifth year on Tuesday. The US has been involved in brokering talks between Moscow and Kyiv, as part of a yearlong effort to find a peaceful resolution.
However, significant disagreements remain, particularly regarding the future of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory and the long-term security arrangements for Ukraine.
Estimates suggest between 500,000 and 600,000 Ukrainian military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths, while Russia has suffered approximately 1.2 million casualties, with up to 325,000 troop deaths – the largest number of deaths for any major power in a conflict since World War II. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that 55,000 Ukrainian troops have died in the war, with many more missing.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission has recorded 14,999 civilian deaths since the full-scale invasion, but acknowledges this is likely an underestimate. Over 40,600 civilians have been injured, and at least 763 children have been killed.
Last year was the deadliest for Ukrainian civilians since 2022, with 2,514 deaths and 12,142 injuries – a 31% increase in casualties compared to 2024.
As of recent calculations by the Institute for the Study of War, Russia occupies 19.4% of Ukrainian land. Over the past year, Russia has gained only 0.79% of Ukraine’s territory.
Foreign military aid to Kyiv decreased by 13% last year compared to the 2022-2024 average. While US President Donald Trump halted American weapons shipments, European countries increased their aid by 67% during the same period. Foreign humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine fell by 5% last year.
Approximately 5.9 million Ukrainian civilians have fled the country, with 5.3 million finding refuge in Europe. An additional 3.7 million Ukrainians have been displaced within Ukraine.
There have been 2,881 Russian attacks affecting medical care in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, a nearly 20% increase from 2024. These attacks have included strikes on 2,347 healthcare facilities and damage to medical supplies and vehicles.
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