Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed that an estimated 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action while fighting against Russia, with a "large number" also reported missing. The staggering figure brings the total death toll to over 400,000 since the war began, according to estimates from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The revelation comes on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as crucial ceasefire talks in Abu Dhabi aim to bring an end to Europe's largest conflict since World War II. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia will continue fighting until Kyiv makes the necessary "decisions" to bring the war to an end.
The high human cost of the conflict has been a major concern for both sides, with Ukraine and Russia rarely disclosing their own casualty figures while actively reporting enemy losses on the battlefield. Analysts suggest that both countries are likely underreporting their own deaths while inflating those of the other side.
The talks in Abu Dhabi have brought some progress, with Ukrainian lead negotiator Rustem Umerov describing a "productive" first day of discussions. However, significant differences remain between the two sides, particularly over issues such as Moscow's demands for Kyiv to give up land it still controls and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The conflict has seen Russia incur heavy losses, with an estimated 420,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded in 2025 alone. The overall number of Russian casualties is now estimated at over 1.1 million, according to British defense intelligence.
The revelation comes on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as crucial ceasefire talks in Abu Dhabi aim to bring an end to Europe's largest conflict since World War II. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia will continue fighting until Kyiv makes the necessary "decisions" to bring the war to an end.
The high human cost of the conflict has been a major concern for both sides, with Ukraine and Russia rarely disclosing their own casualty figures while actively reporting enemy losses on the battlefield. Analysts suggest that both countries are likely underreporting their own deaths while inflating those of the other side.
The talks in Abu Dhabi have brought some progress, with Ukrainian lead negotiator Rustem Umerov describing a "productive" first day of discussions. However, significant differences remain between the two sides, particularly over issues such as Moscow's demands for Kyiv to give up land it still controls and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The conflict has seen Russia incur heavy losses, with an estimated 420,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded in 2025 alone. The overall number of Russian casualties is now estimated at over 1.1 million, according to British defense intelligence.