The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in nearly two million military casualties killed, wounded, or missing according to a study released Tuesday by a U.S. think-tank.
Russian forces have borne the heaviest losses, with estimates of up to 325,000 soldiers killed among a total of 1.2 million casualties since the invasion began nearly four years ago. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), which conducted the study, noted that no major power has suffered such staggering casualties in a war since World War II. Analysts also highlighted that Russian advances on the battlefield have remained slow and hard-fought.
Ukrainian forces have also endured significant losses. Between February 2022 and December 2025, Ukrainian military casualties are estimated at 500,000 to 600,000, including 100,000 to 140,000 fatalities. CSIS projects that combined military casualties for both nations could reach two million by spring 2026.
The war’s impact extends far beyond the battlefield. Civilian populations have been severely affected, with 2025 seeing the highest number of civilian deaths in Ukraine since 2022, according to United Nations monitors. More than 2,500 civilians were killed and over 12,000 injured in 2025 alone. The UN has verified nearly 15,000 civilian deaths since the conflict began, though the actual toll is believed to be considerably higher.
As the war grinds on, the staggering human cost continues to highlight the devastating consequences of the prolonged conflict, both for soldiers and civilians alike.
