Four Years On, Ukraine War Stalemates Amid Heavy Losses
Since the Feb. 24, 2022 invasion, fighting has ground into a prolonged stalemate with large military casualties, territorial hold near 19.3% and shifting Western aid commitments.
Overview
The U.S. has brokered talks between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv as part of President Donald Trump’s yearlong push for peace.
The fighting that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022 has entered its fifth year and shows no sign of stopping, prolonging civilian suffering and military attrition.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this month that 55,000 Ukrainian troops have died, while neither Moscow nor Kyiv provides timely, independently verifiable figures.
Estimates of military casualties range roughly 1.8 million to about 2 million combined; CSIS estimated Russia suffered 1.2 million casualties including up to 325,000 deaths through Dec. 2025, and Ukraine 500,000–600,000 including up to 140,000 deaths.
Negotiations are stalled over the future of Russian-occupied Ukrainian land and postwar security, while last year foreign humanitarian and financial aid fell 5% and European military aid rose 67% as U.S. weapons transfers ended.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Russia's war as costly and mismanaged by emphasizing economic pain, visible recruitment and memorials, and everyday hardships. Language ("grinds on", "so-called 'special military operation'"), selective anecdotes about utility bills, recruitment billboards, and repeated images of loss and shelters foreground consequences while contextual quotes show mixed local attitudes.
Sources (8)
FAQ
CSIS estimates Russia has suffered approximately 1.2 million casualties, including up to 325,000 deaths, while Ukraine has experienced 500,000–600,000 casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths, through December 2025.
Zelenskyy stated earlier this month that 55,000 Ukrainian service members have died, with many others unaccounted for.
Civilian casualties reached their highest levels since 2022 in 2025, with 2,514 deaths and 12,142 injuries, a 31% rise from 2024; UN data shows at least 763 children killed overall.
The U.S. has brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv as part of President Trump’s yearlong push for peace, but negotiations are stalled over Russian-occupied land and postwar security.
Foreign humanitarian and financial aid fell 5% last year, while European military aid rose 67%; U.S. weapons transfers have ended.
History
4 sources