On February 24, Russia's Onslaught Against Ukraine: Updates and Insights from Within Ukraine
Three Years of War in Ukraine: A Toll in Numbers
As we commemorate the fourth year of the conflict in Ukraine, these statistics paint a grim picture of the war's impact. Beyond the battlefield, lives have been irrevocably altered for millions of Ukrainians and those beyond its borders. Foreign military and financial assistance have bolstered Ukraine's resilience, yet its future remains uncertain amidst ongoing peace talks and staggering human and economic losses.
The Human Cost
Ukraine's population has dwindled by 10 million, a 25% reduction, since 2022, with estimates placing the current population in government-controlled areas at approximately 30 million to 31.5 million. With no recent census, figures vary, with the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy suggesting a population of 33 million.
The trend of depopulation—seeing roots in low birth rates, high mortality, and mass exodus—has only intensified. Ukraine, in 2024, ranked first in global mortality rates with a staggering 18.6 deaths per thousand, while recording the lowest birth rate of just 6 per thousand.
The invasions' onset saw millions of Ukrainians fleeing across Europe and into the western regions of the country. As of January 2025, approximately 6.9 million Ukrainian refugees persist abroad, primarily residing in Germany and Poland. Within Ukraine, five years later, 4.9 million individuals remain displaced, with a significant portion (2.5 million) unable to return home due to conflict proximity, destruction, or ongoing occupation.
Children Displaced and Lost
A $6.2 billion U.S. House resolution condemned children's forced relocation, with more than 1.6 million disappeared over the past decade. Russia acknowledges 744,000 kidnapped children but refuses to disclose their locations, a topic discussed at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos. Thousands have been taken from orphanages, forcibly relocated, with mere 1,037 returned to Ukraine thus far.
Territorial Losses
Since October 2023, Russian forces focused on capturing Donetsk territory, augmenting the Kremlin's controlled area from 17.6% to 18.2%, with most gains near Avdiivka. Battles persist in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, while Ukrainian forces continue gradual withdrawals. According to open-source analysis project DeepState, Russia has currently seized control of approximately 26,420 square miles of Ukraine's territory since 2022.
Civilian and Military Casualties
Civilian fatalities have significantly increased, with the UN reporting a 30% rise in both deaths and injuries in 2024. Tragically, children continue to bear the brunt of the toll. In 2024, there were more child casualties recorded in the first nine months than in all of 2023. As of December 2024, reported civilian deaths total 12,605, including 669 children, while 29,178 have been injured.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported 45,100 soldiers had died in the conflict as of 2024, a sharp increase from the 31,000 reported the previous year. Independent sources, however, suggest a validated death toll exceeding 70,000. Russian military personnel losses surpassed 95,000 with an analysis of obituaries, military memorials, and cemetery records.
Military and Equipment Losses
Open-source intelligence suggests Russian forces have lost more than 20,000 units of military equipment, including over 15,000 destroyed! A joint investigation by Mediazona and BBC revealed an estimated 4,000 Russian tank losses alone in 2024, in contrast to 1,100 Ukrainian losses. This war's attrition continues, driven by both sides' relentless pursuit of territorial control.
International Support
Military and financial assistance has been a critical lifeline for Ukraine, with $41.7 billion received in 2024, totaling over $115 billion since 2022. The European Union leads this effort, contributing nearly 45 billion, followed closely by the United States' $31 billion contribution. Significant aid packages were pledged in 2025, including England's $4.5 billion, Canada's $3.5 billion (funded by frozen Russian assets), Norway's $3.1 billion, and Spain's additional $1 billion in support.
Despite this generosity, concerns linger, as the U.S.'s aid-for-resources deal seems unfavorable for Ukraine, lacking security guarantees.
Sources elected during the revising process, considered selectively and sparingly for context value.
[1] BBC News, 2025, [2] United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 2024, [3] The World Bank, 2025, [4] The New York Times, 2024.
- Amidst ongoing peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, President Putin's stance on the Ukraine war remains a key topic, with many calling for his involvement in any resolution.
- As part of the peace talks, the role of NATO and the USA in providing military and financial assistance to Ukraine has been a contentious issue, with some criticizing the involvement as escalating the three-year war.
- In 2025, tensions between Ukraine, Russia, and NATO persisted, with both sides showing no signs of backing down from their positions.
- Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, has repeatedly called for increased international support to help rebuild Ukraine and prevent further escalations of the war in 2025.
- Despite the significant financial aid received from the USA and other NATO countries, the human cost of the Ukraine war has been immense, with over 12,600 reported civilian deaths and tens of thousands of displaced children.
- With the 2025 World Economic Forum serving as a platform for discussions on Ukraine's displaced children, the international community continues to shine a spotlight on the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
- In anticipation of the potential resolution in 2025, there are concerns that a ceasefire could lead to an insurgency or acts of terrorism, with Russia's control over certain territories creating a power vacuum that could persist for several years.
