The war in Ukraine has resulted in more than 2 million military casualties, with Russian forces suffering significantly higher losses than Ukrainian forces, according to a new study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The American thinktank estimates that between 400,000 and 450,000 Russian troops have been killed since the invasion began in February 2022, out of a total of 1.4 million casualties—including wounded and missing. Ukrainian forces have suffered between 125,000 and 150,000 fatalities out of 525,000 to 625,000 casualties over the same period.
Russian fatalities compared to US post-WWII losses
CSIS noted that “Russian fatalities in Ukraine are more than four times greater than all US fatalities in all wars combined since World War Two.” The ratio of Russian to Ukrainian casualties has likely risen to about eight to one in the first half of this year.
In a separate development, Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight Thursday, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens more. The strikes hit residential buildings and triggered a fire at a hotel on a central boulevard. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that people were trapped in a damaged nine-storey building, while the roof of another high-rise apartment block caught fire. The first to sixth floors of one apartment building collapsed after a direct hit. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, confirmed at least eight deaths and 56 injuries.
Russia retaliates, starts importing petrol from India
Russia’s defence ministry said the attack, along with strikes on Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk regions, was retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on civil infrastructure. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Russia has begun seaborne imports of petrol from India to mitigate fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian strikes on its energy infrastructure. Two industry sources said at least 60,000 metric tons of gasoline had been sent from India to Russia, with two tankers carrying 30,000 to 40,000 tons each. The claims could not be independently verified.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv’s forces struck Russia’s major Ufa oil refinery in Bashkortostan for the second time in a week.
Nord Stream sabotage charges and Ukrainian arms exports
German prosecutors confirmed charges against a suspect in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline. The suspect, a Ukrainian national alleged to be the head of the operation, was arrested in Italy in summer 2025 and extradited to Germany. Zelenskyy has denied any government knowledge of the plan.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced a new framework allowing Ukrainian arms manufacturers to export products and components, with 20% of revenues from finished defence goods and 30% from components directed to a state defence fund. Manufacturers must prove they can meet both domestic and export orders, and restrictions apply to critical goods.
