Russia Approaches One Million Casualties in Ukraine War

The war in Ukraine has resulted in staggering losses for Russia, with the British Ministry of Defence estimating around 900,000 total casualties since the invasion began in 2022, including 200,000 to 250,000 fatalities. This marks the highest casualty rate for Russia since World War II, as the Kremlin reportedly prioritizes military objectives over the lives of its soldiers, particularly from impoverished ethnic minority regions. Meanwhile, Russian military operations continue to inflict civilian casualties in Ukraine, with recent strikes in Zaporizhzhia resulting in multiple deaths and injuries, despite claims of a pause in attacks on energy infrastructure. Additionally, the war has caused significant environmental damage, contributing to over 200 million tonnes of climate emissions due to military actions and destruction of industrial sites. Analysts suggest that the Russian leadership's strategy involves tolerating high casualty rates as long as they do not undermine public or elite support for the war. The ongoing conflict not only poses a humanitarian crisis but also threatens to escalate into further environmental degradation.