Rising Russian Casualties Amidst Push for Peace in Ukraine

Wed Dec 31 2025 12:01:14 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As U.S. diplomacy ramps up efforts for a peace deal in Ukraine, Russian military losses soar at an unprecedented rate, reflecting the ongoing turmoil of the conflict.

In 2025, Russian casualties in Ukraine have surged, with reports indicating a 40% increase in soldier obituaries compared to the previous year. The total confirmed deaths are nearing 160,000, while estimates suggest actual figures could be much higher. Diplomatic efforts by the U.S., alongside Russia's evolving recruitment tactics and casualties from the front lines, are contributing to a complex military landscape. Notably, a growing proportion of those killed had no military background prior to the conflict.

Over the past 10 months, Russian losses in the war with Ukraine have been growing faster than any time since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, as per BBC analysis. As peace efforts intensified in 2025 under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, reports indicated that 40% more obituaries of soldiers appeared in Russian sources compared to the previous year.

Overall, the BBC has confirmed almost 160,000 names of those killed on Russia's side, although the true death toll is believed to be significantly higher. Experts estimate the actual number could range between 243,000 and 352,000, suggesting that the figures reported may only represent about 45-65% of total losses.

Throughout 2025, the rate of published obituaries for Russian soldiers varied, with peaks correlating with significant diplomatic engagements between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, including discussions about ending the war. Despite heavy casualties, the Kremlin seems to be maintaining recruitment through attractive financial incentives and promises, primarily targeting individuals under duress from their debts or legal issues.

Reports indicate that many of those recruited to fight in Ukraine have no previous military experience, including individuals pushed into service due to social or political pressures. A notable example is Murat Mukashev, an activist who turned to military service in hopes of securing his early release from imprisonment.

This shifting dynamic on the battlefield, marked by high levels of casualties among 'volunteers' and contracted soldiers, raises questions about the sustainability of Russia's military strategies as both sides continue to incur heavy losses in the ongoing conflict.