Europe’s largest conflict since World War II began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine four years ago, causing immense suffering for civilians and challenging experiences for soldiers while reshaping the post-Cold War security landscape.
As the conflict enters its fifth year on Tuesday, there are no indications of an imminent halt.
Efforts to negotiate peace have been ongoing, with the U.S. facilitating discussions between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv as part of a yearlong initiative under the Trump administration. However, significant discrepancies, such as the fate of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and postwar security for Ukraine, have hindered progress.
Throughout the conflict, both nations have endured heavy casualties, with thousands of troops from each side losing their lives in battle. Russian airstrikes have taken a toll on Ukrainian civilians, leading to prolonged power outages and water shortages.
Here is an overview of the conflict’s impact, presented through statistics, since the full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.
1.8 million
According to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the estimated total number of soldiers killed, wounded, or missing on both sides reaches up to 1.8 million. The report suggests that Russia suffered approximately 1.2 million casualties, including up to 325,000 troop fatalities, from February 2022 to December 2025 – marking the highest number of troop deaths for a major power in any conflict since World War II. Moscow has not released updated figures on battlefield fatalities since January 2023, when it acknowledged over 80 soldiers were killed in a Ukrainian attack, bringing the confirmed military deaths by Moscow to just over 6,000.
The report estimates that Ukraine has witnessed between 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 fatalities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that 55,000 Ukrainian troops have perished in the conflict, with many others missing. Both Moscow and Kyiv do not promptly disclose military casualty figures, making independent verification unattainable.
14,999
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission reported a total of 14,999 civilian fatalities in Ukraine since the commencement of Russia’s full-scale invasion, though it acknowledges this figure may underestimate the actual toll. Furthermore, over 40,600 civilians sustained injuries during the same period, as per a December report from the UN. The conflict has claimed the lives of at least 763 children.
Last year marked the deadliest for civilians in Ukraine since 2022, with 2,514 fatalities and 12,142 injuries reported in 2025 – a 31% surge in civilian casualties compared to 2024.
19.4%
According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia currently occupies 19.4% of Ukrainian territory. Despite engaging in a protracted war of attrition over the past year, Moscow has only gained 0.79% of Ukraine’s land, underscoring minimal advancements made by Russian forces despite substantial troop and equipment losses. Before the all-out invasion, Russia controlled nearly seven percent of Ukraine, encompassing Crimea and portions of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east, amidst conflicts with Ukrainian forces and Moscow-backed separatists.
13%
Foreign military aid to Kyiv witnessed a 13% decline last year compared to the annual average between 2022 and 2024, according to the Kiel Institute in Germany, which monitors assistance to Ukraine. The U.S. ceased supplying American weaponry funded by the U.S. to Ukraine after President Donald Trump assumed office just over a year ago. However, European nations ramped up their military aid by 67% in 2025 compared to the 2022-2024 period to compensate for the shortfall. Meanwhile, foreign humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine decreased by 5% last year relative to the average