**Russia’s Ominous Losses in Ukraine: A Report by CSIS**
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has published a report that reveals the staggering extent of Russia’s military losses in Ukraine. According to the report, Russian troops are approaching 1 million casualties and are likely to surpass this figure by summer 2025.
**A Tale of Two Sides: The Human Toll**
The total number of military casualties on both sides is nearing 1.4 million, with approximately 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed or injured. The CSIS estimates that more than 950,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. This translates to as many as 250,000 Russian deaths on the battlefield, a figure that underscores Vladimir Putin’s “blatant disregard” for his forces.
**Russia’s Reliance on Mass Wave Assaults: A Costly Strategy**
Despite its staggering losses, Russia continues to rely on mass wave assaults, which have allowed Russian forces to capture less than 1% of Ukrainian territory since January 2024. The CSIS notes that this approach has resulted in a mere 50 meters per day advance by Russian troops. The cost in equipment has also been severe, with some battlefield loss ratios reaching 5:1.
**The Full Human Toll Remains Elusive**
As of June 4, Ukraine’s General Staff put Russia’s cumulative troop losses at 991,820. While Kyiv does not disclose its own casualty numbers, Ukraine’s Armed Forces report Russian losses on a daily basis. The full human toll remains difficult to confirm due to the opacity on both sides.
**A Glimpse into the Lives Lost**
Independent Russian outlet Mediazona and the BBC Russian service have confirmed the identities of at least 109,625 Russian troops killed, based on open-source data such as obituaries, local news, and social media posts. Russia’s monthly recruitment ranges from 30,000 to 40,000 new soldiers, Western intelligence officials told the Wall Street Journal in April.
**A Mired Campaign**
Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine. Despite repeated attempts to seize additional territory, Russia’s campaign remains mired in high casualties with little strategic gain. The CSIS report highlights the stark contrast between Russia’s losses and its meager gains on the battlefield.
As we delve deeper into this report, it becomes clear that Putin’s strategy has been woefully inadequate in achieving Ukraine’s territorial control. The staggering loss of Russian lives raises questions about the Kremlin’s priorities and leadership.
