Europe’s largest conflict since World War II was sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine four years ago, leading to immense suffering for civilians and challenging experiences for soldiers, while also reshaping the post-Cold War security landscape.
The conflict, now entering its fifth year, shows no signs of imminent resolution.
The U.S. has facilitated discussions between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv as part of efforts under the Trump administration to promote peace over the past year. However, significant disagreements, including the fate of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and postwar security for Ukraine, have hindered progress.
Amidst this, both sides have witnessed significant military losses, with thousands of troops from each nation perishing in combat, and Ukrainian civilians enduring the brunt of Russian airstrikes, leading to prolonged power outages and water shortages.
Here’s an overview of the conflict’s impact, quantified since the full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.
1.8 million
An estimated total of soldiers killed, wounded, or missing on both sides, based on a recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a think tank.
According to the report, Russia has suffered around 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 post-World War II.
Russia has not provided updated figures on battlefield fatalities since January 2023, when it acknowledged over 80 soldiers killed in a Ukrainian attack, bringing the confirmed military death toll acknowledged by Moscow to slightly over 6,000.
CSIS estimates that Ukraine has recorded 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated earlier this month that 55,000 Ukrainian troops have lost their lives in the conflict, with many others reported missing.
Both Moscow and Kyiv do not promptly release data on military casualties, making independent verification challenging.
An Alberta man who went to fight in Ukraine tells CBC News about his brush with death after being shot outside a Russian