The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to exact a devastating human toll, with The Economist estimating that 60,000 to 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the full-scale invasion began. An additional 400,000 troops have been injured, making them unfit to return to combat, according to the report published on Nov. 26.
Ukraine’s Hidden Military Casualties
While Ukraine’s leadership has kept official casualty numbers largely under wraps, President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed earlier this year that 31,000 soldiers had died. However, The Economist, relying on leaked intelligence, defense experts, and open-source intelligence, suggests a much higher figure.
These staggering losses mean nearly one in 20 Ukrainian men of fighting age has been killed or injured in the conflict—a proportion that surpasses the combined U.S. casualties in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Russia’s Heavy Losses
The Wall Street Journal in September estimated Russia’s military losses at up to 200,000 killed and 400,000 injured, highlighting the brutal intensity of the conflict. However, Moscow’s last official update in September 2022 claimed a far smaller 5,937 casualties, a figure widely regarded as unrealistic. Ukraine’s General Staff estimates Russian casualties at over 735,000, exceeding all of Russia’s military losses since 1945.
Civilian Deaths: The Forgotten Tragedy
Civilian casualties remain difficult to confirm but are equally harrowing. The United Nations verified 11,743 civilian deaths as of mid-2024, but this count excludes areas under Russian occupation, such as Mariupol, where mass casualties are believed to have occurred. Analysts estimate civilian fatalities could number in the tens of thousands, further highlighting the catastrophic impact on Ukraine’s population.
A Devastating Human Toll
The conflict has reshaped demographics and inflicted generational wounds on both Ukraine and Russia. As The Economist notes, the scale of deaths in this war exceeds the proportion of U.S. military casualties during two of its deadliest 20th-century wars, underscoring the magnitude of suffering in Eastern Europe.