A million lost: UK intelligence confirms massive Russian casualties in Ukraine

The report estimates that roughly 250,000 Russian troops have been killed or are missing in action — the country’s heaviest military losses since World War II, according to a June 12 assessment by UK intelligence.

In 2025 alone, Russia may have lost over 200,000 personnel. Ukraine’s General Staff reports that Russian forces are currently losing an average of more than 1,250 soldiers per day.

UK intelligence highlights that the large number of wounded — especially those injured multiple times — is putting significant strain on Russia’s military medical system at every level. This has led to staff shortages and serious logistical challenges.

Despite these staggering losses, Russia’s military leadership appears to be sticking with its strategy of large-scale assaults, aiming to leverage sheer manpower to gain tactical ground and wear down Ukrainian defenses.

According to the report, the Kremlin’s top brass is almost certainly prepared to continue absorbing high casualties — as long as it doesn’t trigger widespread discontent among the public or political elites, and while it remains possible to replenish losses with new recruits.

• UK intelligence has observed that Russia’s education system is becoming more ideologized, suggesting that aggressive expansionist thinking will only get more deeply rooted in Russian society.
• Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, losses among the occupying Russian army have exceeded one million soldiers.