What's happened
A recent report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies reveals that Russia's military campaign in Ukraine has resulted in staggering casualties, with estimates of nearly 1.4 million total casualties, including around 400,000 Ukrainian troops. The report highlights Russia's slow territorial gains and significant equipment losses since the invasion began in February 2022.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights:
- Casualty Figures: The CSIS report estimates nearly 1 million Russian casualties, with around 250,000 deaths. Ukrainian losses are also significant, with estimates of 60,000 to 100,000 soldiers killed.
- Territorial Gains: Russia has captured less than 1% of Ukrainian territory since January 2024, indicating a stagnation in military progress.
- Equipment Losses: Russia has lost substantial military equipment, including over 1,900 tanks and 3,100 infantry fighting vehicles, exacerbating its operational challenges.
- Military Strategy: The slow pace of advancement, averaging only a few hundred feet per day, reflects difficulties in overcoming Ukrainian defenses.
- Future Outlook: Continued military support from the U.S. and Europe for Ukraine may prolong the conflict, challenging Russia's ability to sustain its military efforts.
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the CSIS report indicates that 'Russia's military campaign in Ukraine is on pace to be among the slowest offensive campaigns in modern warfare.' This sentiment is echoed by the NY Post, which notes that 'Russia has largely failed to achieve its primary objectives and has suffered high costs.' The stark contrast in casualty figures highlights the severe toll on both sides, with the NY Times reporting a total of 1.4 million casualties, while the NY Post emphasizes the disproportionate losses faced by Russia. The analysis from both sources underscores the challenges Russia faces in maintaining its military operations amidst significant losses.
How we got here
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict has escalated into a prolonged and costly war. Initial expectations of a swift victory for Russia have not materialized, leading to high casualties and equipment losses on both sides.
Go deeper
- What are the latest casualty figures?
- How has the war impacted military strategies?
- What support is Ukraine receiving from the West?
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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The Center for Strategic and International Studies is a think tank based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. CSIS was founded as the "Center for Strategic and International Studies" of Georgetown University in 1962.