The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began four years ago, marked one of Europe’s most significant clashes since World War II. It has resulted in immense suffering for civilians and challenging circumstances for soldiers, while also reshaping the security dynamics following the Cold War era. As the conflict reaches its fifth year, there are no indications of a swift resolution.
Efforts to negotiate peace have been ongoing, with the U.S. facilitating talks between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv as part of a yearlong initiative by the Trump administration. However, significant disagreements persist, particularly relating to the future status of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and ensuring postwar security for Ukraine, impeding progress in the peace process.
The conflict, which escalated with a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, has taken a heavy toll in terms of casualties. According to a recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the estimated total number of soldiers killed, wounded, or missing on both sides could reach 1.8 million. Russia has reportedly suffered around 1.2 million casualties, including up to 325,000 troop deaths, making it one of the deadliest conflicts for a major power since World War II. Ukraine, on the other hand, has seen approximately 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, with up to 140,000 deaths as per CSIS estimates.
The conflict has also resulted in a significant number of civilian casualties. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission reported 14,999 civilian deaths in Ukraine since the onset of Russia’s invasion, with over 40,600 civilians injured during the same period. Tragically, at least 763 children have lost their lives due to the conflict.
Approximately 19.4% of Ukrainian territory is currently occupied by Russia, as reported by the Institute for the Study of War. Despite the prolonged conflict, Russia has made minimal territorial gains, acquiring only 0.79% of Ukraine’s land over the past year. Before the full-scale invasion, Russia controlled nearly seven percent of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Foreign military aid to Kyiv saw a 13% decline last year compared to the average assistance provided between 2022 and 2024, according to the Kiel Institute in Germany. While U.S. President Donald Trump halted the supply of American weapons to Ukraine after assuming office, European countries increased their military aid by 67% in 2025 to compensate for the reduction in U.S. support. However, foreign humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine decreased by 5% last year compared to the previous three-year average.
The conflict has forced millions of Ukrainian civilians to flee their country, with 5.9 million seeking refuge abroad and around 3.7 million displaced within Ukraine. The prewar population of Ukraine exceeded 40 million, emphasizing the scale of displacement caused by the ongoing conflict.
The provision of medical care in Ukraine has been severely impacted by the conflict, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting 2,881 Russian attacks that hindered medical services. These attacks represent a nearly 20% increase from the previous year, with over 2,300 strikes targeting health-care facilities and infrastructure.
The continuous conflict in Ukraine underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to end the suffering of civilians and soldiers caught in the midst of this protracted crisis.