**Russia’s Endless War in Ukraine: A Costly Victory**
In April, Russian forces made a modest gain of approximately 68 square miles (176 square kilometers) of Ukrainian territory. However, this territorial advance came at a staggering cost, with over 36,600 casualties and the loss of 4,800 vehicles. To put this into perspective, Ukraine covers an area of about 233,000 square miles (603,000 square kilometers), with roughly 19% currently under Russian control.
If Russia continues to hold onto its current pace, it would take until the year 2256 to occupy the rest of the country – a feat that would require nearly 101 million troops. This number is equivalent to Russia’s entire population of 144 million people. As Forbes war correspondent David Axe notes, “Incredibly, staggering losses in people and equipment haven’t yet crippled the Russian military in Ukraine.”
**A Costly War Effort**
Despite the high cost of its military campaign in Ukraine, Russia continues to replenish its forces. The Kremlin has increased troop recruitment to 30,000 new soldiers each month, with a total force presence in Ukraine now standing at around 600,000 – the highest level since the invasion began in February 2022. Many wounded soldiers eventually return to the front lines, allowing recruitment to outpace losses.
This recruitment drive is fueled by generous sign-on bonuses and widespread speculation that the war may soon end. According to Janis Kluge of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Russia’s continued investment in its military has been successful in sustaining public support for the war effort – even as total Russian casualties surpassed 800,000 earlier this year.
**A Prolonged Conflict**
Despite economic headwinds from falling oil prices and Ukrainian drone attacks, the Kremlin remains committed to a prolonged conflict. War spending has been allocated at an unprecedented level of 40% of Russia’s government spending, more than triple the 13% spent by the United States on its military.
As General Christopher Cavoli, commander of US Army forces in Europe, notes, “The Russian regime has refashioned its military, economic, and social structures to sustain what it describes as a long-term confrontation with the West.” This statement highlights Russia’s intention to confront the West for the foreseeable future – a move that is likely to have significant implications for global stability.
**International Response**
In response to Russia’s continued aggression, the United States has committed an additional $500 million in new energy assistance to Ukraine. The funds will be used to bolster Ukraine’s battered energy infrastructure after Russian strikes. Furthermore, an additional $324 million will be redirected for urgent energy needs.
The international community is closely watching Russia’s actions in Ukraine and is likely to continue supporting Ukraine in its efforts to resist Russian aggression. As the war continues to drag on, it remains unclear when or if Russia will achieve its military objectives – but one thing is certain: the cost of this conflict will be borne by all parties involved.
