Reports indicate that Russia has suffered staggering losses in its war against Ukraine, with estimates of up to 220,000 soldiers killed since 2022, according to analysis by the BBC Russian Service and independent outlet Mediazona. A team of volunteers has even managed to identify at least 88,000 fallen soldiers by name. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s estimates of Moscow’s casualties, including both the dead and wounded, surpass 800,000—a number that underscores the sheer magnitude of Vladimir Putin’s catastrophic gamble.
The numbers paint a grim picture for the Kremlin. Among the 88,000 identified dead, 6,000 were members of Russia’s so-called “elite” forces, including marines, paratroopers, Spetsnaz GRU operatives, and air force pilots. These aren’t foot soldiers from hastily assembled battalions—these are the pride of Russia’s military. Yet their loss signifies the collapse of what Putin likely envisioned as a swift and decisive campaign.
Ukraine, by contrast, reports its own toll at 43,000 troops killed and another 370,000 injured. While no war is without horrific costs, Ukraine has maintained resilience against a much larger aggressor. The bravery of Ukrainian forces stands in stark contrast to Russia’s desperation, as reports suggest Moscow is now leaning on external reinforcements, including troops from North Korea. That’s right, Putin’s “powerhouse” is so depleted that he’s outsourcing to Kim Jong Un. Nothing screams “military superpower” quite like importing mercenaries from one of the world’s most isolated regimes.
Despite this chaos, the Kremlin continues to obscure the true scale of its losses. As U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin noted, Russian casualties since 2022 exceed the total losses Russia has faced in all conflicts since World War II—combined. In November 2024 alone, Russia lost nearly 1,500 troops a day. This war is proving to be a meat grinder for the Russian military, and the question remains: How long can Putin sustain it?
While left-leaning voices often downplay the geopolitical stakes of this conflict, the reality is clear: Putin’s ambitions have led to one of the most embarrassing strategic failures in modern history. Instead of reasserting Russian dominance, he has exposed the fragility of his regime. His misadventure has weakened his military, strained his economy, and left his government scrambling for manpower.
This is what happens when you let unchecked authoritarianism dictate foreign policy. While Democrats here at home fumble with nonsensical policies and virtue-signaling platitudes, they’d do well to learn a lesson from the Ukraine conflict. Weakness, appeasement, and a refusal to confront reality invite disaster. As Ukraine continues to defend itself with courage and resolve, America must remain a steadfast ally, recognizing that strength and clarity are the only paths to peace.
