These five statistics help define the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II 

This week marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The war has become a grinding, attritional conflict that has reshaped Europe’s geopolitical map and tested Western unity. As the fighting extends into its fifth year with no clear resolution in sight, five statistics illustrate the scale and consequence of what has unfolded. 

1. Russia Has Suffered Approximately 1.2 Million Military Casualties 

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russia has incurred roughly 1.2 million military casualties (killed, wounded, and missing) between February 2022 and December 2025, with at least 325,000 deaths confirmed. Independent tracking by Mediazona and BBC News Russian documented 200,000 confirmed Russian deaths by name as of late February 2026. The U.K. Ministry of Defense estimated 1.168 million Russian killed and wounded as of December 2025.  

According to CSIS, “These numbers are extraordinary. No major power has suffered anywhere near these numbers of casualties or fatalities in any war since World War II.” Russia suffered roughly five times as many fatalities in Ukraine as in all Russian and Soviet wars combined between the end of World War II and the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, and Russian fatalities in Ukraine (in just over three years) are 15 times larger than the Soviet Union’s decade-long war in Afghanistan and 10 times larger than Russia’s 13 years of war in Chechnya. As of early 2026, Ukrainian military casualties since February 2022 are estimated to be between 500,000 and 600,000, with around 140,000 deaths. 

2. Russia Controls Approximately 13 Percent of Ukrainian Territory 

As of mid-February 2026, Russia had captured roughly 29,210 square miles of Ukrainian territory since the start of the full-scale invasion, representing approximately 13 percent of Ukraine. This territory is roughly equivalent to half the size of Illinois. In 2025, Russia advanced an average of 171 square miles per month, continuing a pattern of slow but steady territorial gain. 

When accounting for territory seized in 2014 (including the full annexation of Crimea and portions of Donbas), Russia currently controls approximately 45,835 square miles, or about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory. The pace of Russian advances quickened notably in late 2025 as Ukrainian defenses retreated. This territorial loss has forced Ukraine to relocate millions of civilians from combat zones and surrender strategically important infrastructure, including coal mines, port facilities, and agricultural land. 

3. The United States Has Appropriated $188 Billion for Ukraine-Related Programs 

As of December 31, 2025, the U.S. Congress had made available $188 billion in spending related to the war in Ukraine. Of this total, approximately $127 billion has gone directly to support Ukraine’s government and military. The remainder has funded various activities associated with the conflict, including the increased U.S. military presence in Europe, assistance to other affected countries in the region, and other defense-related activities. 

The composition of this aid has shifted over time. Through mid-2025, the State Department reported that approximately $70 billion consisted of military aid in the form of weapons deliveries, while about $54 billion was allocated to support Ukraine’s budget through the World Bank and other international institutions. The remaining $4 billion was provided as humanitarian assistance. However, the Trump administration has signaled reduced commitment to future aid. The fiscal year 2026 defense budget allocates just $400 million for Ukraine through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, the lowest level of U.S. military assistance since the war began. But as the United States has withdrawn support, European countries have markedly increased their contributions. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, European military aid rose by 67 percent above the 2022-2024 average in 2025, with Germany providing approximately €9 billion, the United Kingdom €5.4 billion, Sweden €3.7 billion, and Norway €3.6 billion. 

4. Verified Civilian Deaths Have Reached At Least 15,000 

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has verified approximately 15,000 civilian deaths in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. The UN estimates the actual figure is considerably higher. These deaths reflect a pattern of sustained Russian targeting of civilian infrastructure, including power plants, water systems, and residential areas. 

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have been particularly intensive. As of January 2026, every power plant in Ukraine had been damaged by Russian strikes.  

Ukraine’s available electrical generating capacity has fallen from 33.7 gigawatts at the start of the invasion to approximately 14 gigawatts, leaving the country dependent on rolling blackouts that have cut electricity to major cities for up to 16 hours per day during winter months. 

5. American Public Support for Ukraine Remains Substantial and Bipartisan 

According to the Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll conducted this January, 67 percent of voters believe the Trump administration should continue providing weapons to Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia. Support crossed party lines, with majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents backing continued aid. 

Additional measures of public sentiment show similar patterns. On the question of security guarantees, 66 percent of voters supported providing Ukraine direct U.S. security guarantees if Kyiv agrees to make concessions to end the war. Polling on Putin’s intentions has remained consistent throughout 2025, with roughly two-thirds of voters describing Putin as “playing games” with the West rather than genuinely seeking peace, while an equal share believe Zelenskyy genuinely wants to end the war.