Fifty-five thousand Ukrainian soldiers killed on the battlefield

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has disclosed that approximately 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed on the battlefield since the start of the ongoing war, underscoring the immense human cost of a conflict now entering its fourth year. The figure was revealed during an interview broadcast on France 2 television on Wednesday, 4 February, and later reported by Turkey’s state-run international broadcaster TRT World.

According to President Zelensky, the officially confirmed death toll includes both professional soldiers and those recruited through compulsory mobilisation. He emphasised that this number reflects only verified battlefield fatalities and does not account for the significant number of personnel who remain formally listed as missing in action. Ukrainian authorities continue efforts to verify the fate of these individuals, many of whom may ultimately be confirmed dead or captured as fighting persists across multiple fronts.

The president’s comments come amid growing international concern about the scale of losses suffered by both sides. A recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based think tank, offers a broader assessment of the conflict’s toll. The report estimates that, from the outbreak of the war through to spring 2026, the combined number of military casualties—killed, wounded, and missing—on both sides could approach two million.

CSIS figures suggest that Russia has borne the heavier share of military losses, with an estimated 1.2 million personnel affected. Of these, around 325,000 Russian soldiers are believed to have been killed over nearly four years of fighting. Ukrainian military casualties, by comparison, are estimated at between 500,000 and 600,000, a figure that includes fatalities, injuries, and missing personnel. Analysts caution that these estimates remain provisional, given the difficulty of independently verifying data in active war zones.

Beyond the military sphere, the conflict has exacted a devastating toll on Ukraine’s civilian population. United Nations observers report that 2025 recorded the highest number of civilian deaths since 2022, highlighting a renewed intensity of attacks affecting populated areas. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 2,500 civilians were killed and more than 12,000 injured during 2025 alone. The UN has warned that the real figures are likely to be considerably higher, as many casualties in frontline regions remain unreported or unverified.

The continuing rise in both military and civilian losses has fuelled renewed diplomatic debate over the urgency of conflict resolution, humanitarian access, and long-term regional stability. As President Zelensky reiterated, each statistic represents individual lives lost or irrevocably altered, reinforcing the profound human tragedy underpinning the war.

Estimated Casualties in the Ukraine War

Figures are based on official statements and international estimates and may be subject to revision as further data emerges.