Russia's casualties in the war against Ukraine have reached up to 1.5 million people, according to NATO
Since the start of its full-scale war against Ukraine, Russia has lost between 1.3 and 1.5 million military personnel killed or wounded, and the death toll may be as high as approximately 500,000.
The Russian army’s monthly losses remain relatively stable at 30,000–35,000 personnel.
He noted that it is becoming increasingly difficult for Russia to compensate for these losses due to problems with medical logistics and a decline in the rate of voluntary enlistment.
“Russian losses remain relatively stable, ranging from 30,000 to 35,000 people per month,” the official’s assessment states.
According to the source, the Kremlin is increasingly recruiting convicts, people in debt, and foreigners—particularly from African countries—into the military. The total number of foreign fighters recruited by Russia is estimated at approximately 24,000.
It is also noted that some of these recruits are deployed in infantry assault units with high casualty rates, often without being adequately informed about the conditions of service.
NATO describes the current model for replenishing the Russian army as “barely viable,” noting that at certain times the number of new recruits has fallen below the level of monthly casualties.
Despite this, according to the Alliance’s assessment, Russia retains the ability to continue the war thanks to support from China, Iran, and North Korea, although domestic economic and social pressures are simultaneously mounting.
A senior NATO official made this statement on condition of anonymity in comments to the UK Defence Journal on the sidelines of a meeting of NATO defense ministers.
In recent days, Russian troops have been attempting almost daily to storm the positions of Ukrainian border guards in the direction of Vovchanski Khutory in the Kharkiv region, but they have achieved minimal results and suffered significant losses.
As of June 23, 2026, intense combat operations are ongoing on several fronts in Ukraine, including the eastern and southern fronts. Ukrainian defense forces are holding key positions, while Russian troops continue their assaults and attempts to advance, according to data from military assessments and monitoring projects.
