A Ukrainian army self-propelled howitzer fires a round in a photo posted to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s X account on Oct. 9, 2024. Pentagon officials said this week that more than 600,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured since the Kremlin launched its 2022 full-scale invasion in Ukraine. (X /Ukrainian Defense Ministry)
More than 600,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured since the Kremlin launched its 2022 full-scale invasion in Ukraine, with last month being the deadliest of all, Pentagon officials said this week.
Senior defense officials, speaking on background Wednesday to reporters, said the Russian combat losses far exceed the numbers of all the Kremlin’s other post-World War II conflicts combined.
“The Ukrainians are mounting a strong defense, both on the ground and from an air defense perspective,” a senior official said in a Defense Department statement.
But despite the heavy enemy losses, Ukraine still faces a daunting challenge against a much larger force that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to pour resources into.
“Despite Ukraine’s offensive into (the Russian region of) Kursk, Russia has also demonstrated time and time again a willingness to do whatever it takes to attempt to force the Ukrainians to capitulate, including purposely targeting Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure,” a senior defense official said.
The Pentagon estimate of more than 600,000 Russian casualties is a sharp increase from estimates early in the year that were in the 350,000 range. The updated number is in line with estimates by Ukraine’s military last month.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a meeting in Paris on June 7, 2024. Pentagon officials said this week that more than 600,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured since the Kremlin launched its 2022 full-scale invasion in Ukraine. (Alexander C. Kubitza/U.S. Navy)
The Pentagon and Ukraine have not offered a tally for Ukrainian military casualties. However, The Wall Street Journal reported in September that a confidential Ukrainian estimate from earlier in the year put the numbers at 80,000 dead and 400,000 wounded.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at a security conference Wednesday in Croatia, urged Western partners to step up weapons contributions to put Kyiv in a better position to end the war.
“In October, November and December, we have a chance to move things toward peace and lasting stability,” he said. “The situation on the battlefield creates an opportunity to make this choice for decisive action to end the war no later than in 2025.”
Zelenskyy didn’t detail why he thought next year would be a turning point. And it wasn’t clear what his terms would be for ending the war.
So far, there is no indication that Ukraine’s military is positioned to push Russian forces from their strongholds, which raises the prospect of a negotiated end to the war.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Wednesday that while it is up to Ukraine to set the terms for any agreement, allies should continue to bolster Ukraine’s defenses to strengthen its hand.
“That is a paradox, that to come to a negotiated agreement, we have to make sure that Ukraine is strong,” Rutte said.
