UK Defense: Russia’s Daily Casualty Rate Rose Four Straight Months Late 2025

Russia likely suffered about 415,000 casualties in Ukraine in 2025, its second-highest annual toll since the full-scale invasion began, according to RBC-Ukraine on January 14. 

Britain’s Ministry of Defense stated the 2025 figure for Russians killed and wounded was below 2024, when it assessed losses at about 430,000, and put total Russian casualties since February 2022 at roughly 1,213,000.

The Ministry added that Russia’s average daily casualty rate rose to about 1,130 in December 2025 from about 1,030 in November, marking a fourth consecutive monthly increase. 

The British assessment said Russia’s daily casualty rate was lower from August through December 2025 than earlier in the war, but began climbing again toward the end of the year as Russian forces pursued advances along the front line, and said losses were expected to remain elevated in early 2026 “with continued dismounted infantry attacks on multiple axes.” 

Ukraine’s General Staff, which publishes its own estimates of Russian losses, said total Russian personnel losses had reached about 1,220,950, and listed substantial equipment losses since the start of the invasion.

Earlier, it was reported that British defense intelligence assessed Russia as having likely more than 400,000 soldiers killed or wounded in each of the past two years and said recruitment has been concentrated in poorer and more remote regions.

Truth is Under Attack

Help our reporters investigate lies, verify facts, and deliver truth from Ukraine’s frontlines.

DEFEND THE TRUTH