Ukraine Reports 1.5 Million Russian Troop Losses Since Invasion Began
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has updated its casualty assessment, citing a cumulative loss of over 1.5 million Russian personnel since the start of the full-scale invasion in early 2022.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on September 17 that Russia has lost approximately 1,513,490 troops since the launch of its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. According to the daily update, this cumulative figure includes 1,960 casualties sustained by Russian forces over the preceding 24 hours. The report provides a detailed breakdown of material losses, citing the destruction of thousands of armored vehicles, artillery systems, and aerial assets.
While the Ukrainian military has historically maintained operational secrecy regarding its own losses, independent Western assessments offer a contrasting perspective on the attrition ratio. The Center for Strategic and International Studies has estimated that Russian casualties significantly exceed Ukrainian losses, suggesting a ratio of roughly two to one or two and a half to one. This disparity highlights the ongoing debate over the accuracy of wartime data and the differing methodologies used to track combat fatalities.
Independent estimates of the casualty ratio
A January 2026 report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies suggests that Ukraine has likely suffered between 500,000 and 600,000 casualties from February 2022 through December 2025. Within this range, the think tank estimates that between 100,000 and 140,000 Ukrainian service members have been killed in action. These figures are notably higher than official Ukrainian government statements, which have generally remained more conservative in their public disclosures.
President Volodymyr Zelensky provided a specific figure in a February 4 interview with France TV, stating that at least 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action since the beginning of the war. He noted that many others remain missing in action. The difficulty in retrieving bodies from the battlefield, exacerbated by the intensity of drone strikes and continuous fighting, complicates the process of DNA confirmation and accurate accounting for the deceased.
Material losses and equipment attrition
The General Staff’s report details extensive losses in Russian military hardware. According to the data, Russia has lost 12,346 tanks, 25,345 armored combat vehicles, and 49,863 artillery systems. The inventory of destroyed equipment also includes 2,139 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,645 anti-aircraft systems, and 442 aircraft. Additionally, the report cites the loss of 356 helicopters, 2,644 unmanned ground systems, and over 520,000 aerial drones, indicating a significant shift toward unmanned warfare in the conflict.
Naval and logistical assets have also been targeted, with the report listing 35 ships and boats and two submarines among the losses. The scale of these material losses suggests a sustained pressure on Russian logistics and maintenance capabilities. The high number of destroyed vehicles and fuel tanks further indicates that supply lines remain a critical vulnerability for the invading forces.
Recent developments in the conflict
In parallel with the casualty reports, recent events have seen continued pressure on both military and civilian infrastructure. Telegram channels reported that drones entered the industrial zone of the Yaroslavl oil refinery, with footage appearing to show the facility on fire following explosions. Ukrainian drones have targeted refineries in this region in the recent past, aiming to disrupt Russia’s fuel production capabilities.
Ukraine’s capital also faced a drone and missile attack on the night of September 16-17. Officials reported that the strikes damaged an education facility and injured at least 12 people in Kyiv. These incidents underscore the persistent threat posed by long-range strikes, which continue to impact both military targets and civilian areas across the country.
