We asked Ukrainian soldiers about Russian losses passing 1.5 million
Russia's total military losses in Ukraine have reached 1,500,870, Ukraine's General Staff said on Sept. 9, marking another grim milestone in the war for the Kremlin. It took roughly two years and three months for the Russian Armed Forces to incur their first 500,000 casualties. Moscow has now suffered roughly the same number in just the past 15 months, as technology increasingly shapes the…
Ukraine's General Staff announced on September 9 that Russia's military losses in Ukraine have reached 1,500,870. This represents a significant milestone in the ongoing war for the Kremlin. The Russian military had previously sustained approximately 500,000 casualties over the course of two years and three months. However, in just 15 months since the milestone, Russia has lost roughly the same number of personnel.
Experts suggest that Russia's total personnel losses in Ukraine now surpass those suffered by Russian and Soviet forces in all conflicts during the latter half of the 20th century and the early 21st century. Moreover, Russia's losses in Ukraine exceed 100 times the casualties from the Soviet war in Afghanistan and more than 125 times the combined casualties from the First and Second Chechen wars.
During the first quarter of 2026, Russian forces sustained around 30,000 casualties per month in Ukraine. However, the figure surged to 42,860 in July, marking the highest monthly toll since the inception of the full-scale war. August also saw a monthly tally exceeding 40,000, as reported by Ukraine's Defense Ministry.
Despite the mounting losses, Ukrainian soldiers remain confident that the Russian military will not abandon its objectives in Ukraine. This is partly due to the Kremlin's consideration of a new mobilization wave, which could potentially bring 600,000 individuals into the military by 2026-2027. The surge in Russian casualties, according to Ukrainian soldiers, is primarily a result of Russia's tactics involving the extensive deployment of infantry in waves to overwhelm frontline positions.
Dmytro, a drone pilot with the 21st Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment, offers insight into Russia's approach. He explains that Russia relies on sheer numbers, throwing all forces and resources at the Ukrainian positions to achieve a result. While this tactic may yield temporary victories, it comes at a significant cost in terms of Russian casualties. The relentless pressure on Ukrainian forces can be seen as a positive development, although it does not offer a long-term solution to the conflict.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
