Ukraine's military reports Russian troop losses top 1.5 million
Ukraine's General Staff said on Sept. 25 that Russia has lost approximately 1,525,570 troops since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, including 1,590 in the past day. The report also lists heavy losses in tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, and other equipment. Western think tanks estimate Russian casualties are roughly two to two-and-a-half times higher than Ukraine's, though Kyiv does not disclose its own losses.
The daily casualty figure of 1,590 represents a sustained pace of attrition that has continued through 2026. Equipment losses remain substantial, with artillery systems and vehicles accounting for the largest categories of destroyed hardware, alongside significant numbers of tanks and armored fighting vehicles.
Ukraine's own casualty figures remain classified, though Western analysts at CSIS have estimated Kyiv's total losses at roughly half to two-fifths of Russia's. Zelensky has publicly acknowledged at least 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed, while noting that drone warfare and contested terrain have complicated recovery of the fallen for DNA confirmation.
The sustained casualty figures could have significant demographic and economic consequences for Russia over the long term, potentially affecting labor markets and public sentiment. For Ukraine, the disparity in losses may influence Western support calculations and diplomatic negotiations. The ongoing difficulty in recovering fallen soldiers could also shape public perception of the war's human cost in both countries, possibly affecting domestic political dynamics as the conflict enters its fifth year.