**Russia’s Military Advances in Ukraine: A Grim Reality**
The war between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for months, with both sides suffering heavy losses. However, data shows that Moscow’s territorial advances are minimal compared to its colossal losses. According to an opinion piece in The Washington Post by Riley McCabe of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russia’s claims of success in Ukraine mask a far grimmer military reality.
**Limited Territorial Gains**
Despite using brute force since early 2024, Russian forces have managed to seize less than 1% of Ukrainian territory – an area smaller than Delaware. The average daily advances made by Russian troops are mere meters, with only about 50 meters gained near Kupiansk and roughly 135 meters in parts of Donetsk Oblast. Ukraine’s defenses, on the other hand, give it the edge, with minefields, trench systems, and artillery zones making it difficult for Russian forces to make significant gains.
**Historic Scale of Russian Casualties**
The minor territorial gains made by Russia have come at an extraordinary cost. According to McCabe, Russian fatalities in Ukraine now exceed the total number of Soviet and Russian soldiers killed in every war since World War II combined. By summer 2025, Russia is projected to surpass 1 million total military casualties. The op-ed notes that Russian equipment losses since January 2024 include roughly 1,200 armored fighting vehicles, 3,200 infantry fighting vehicles, and 1,900 tanks.
**Putin’s Strategy**
The opinion piece argues that Russia’s best hope lies in Western political fatigue. McCabe writes that Putin is counting on the US to withdraw its support for Ukraine, rather than relying on battlefield success. This strategy has been effective in the past, with Russia using similar tactics to win conflicts in Chechnya and Georgia.
**Commentary**
The data presented in this article paints a grim picture of Russia’s military performance in Ukraine. Despite Moscow’s claims of strength, its actual hand is far weaker than assumed by many in the West. The fact that Russian forces are struggling to make significant gains on the battlefield suggests that Ukraine’s defenses are formidable.
Moreover, the scale of Russian casualties is historic and unprecedented. The comparison made between Russia’s death toll in Ukraine and losses in every Soviet and Russian war since World War II is striking. It highlights the devastating human cost of this conflict and underscores the need for a diplomatic solution to bring an end to the fighting.
**What’s Next?**
As the US continues to stall new sanctions drafted by Congress, it remains unclear how long Western support for Ukraine will last. The opinion piece argues that Putin is betting on fatigue, rather than victory, and that Russia’s best hope lies in waiting out its opponents. However, with the conflict showing no signs of abating, it is clear that a more sustained effort from the international community is needed to bring an end to this devastating war.
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