Russia lost 61 artillery systems, 18 armored fighting vehicles (AFVs), and five tanks on Monday in its war with Kyiv, as well as 1,180 soldiers, according to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Newsweek reached out to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The Russian losses come as Moscow, Washington, and Kyiv continue talks in a bid to end the three-year war.
Despite the fact that a limited 30-day ceasefire was agreed, fighting has continued, and Moscow’s continued losses are contributing to an equipment shortage.
What To Know
The Ukrainian ministry of defense reported Russia’s losses in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a caption quoting French writer Victor Hugo: “There is nothing like a dream to create the future.”
In addition to the artillery systems, AFVs and tanks, Moscow also lost 118 UAVs, 98 vehicles and fuel tanks, and three multiple launch rocket systems on Monday.
Russia’s loss of artillery systems per month reached a peak in July and August 2024, then declined before increasing once more in February 2025, according to figures sourced from Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Moscow has experienced high losses of AFVs since October 2023, although it has seen a decline in the loss of tanks since June 2024.
Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine said Russia has lost 905,940 soldiers, 21,590 artillery systems, 21,670 AFVs, 10,425 tanks, 30,759 UAVs and 41,824 vehicles and fuel tanks.
Ukraine’s reports of Moscow’s losses of soldiers comprise both the wounded and the dead.
Ukraine’s reports of Russian losses are widely believed to be an over-estimate. Both Kyiv and Moscow have been tight-lipped about their own losses, and it is difficult to verify the numbers of soldiers and equipment lost.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with NBC News in February that, since the war began, approximately 380,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been injured and 46,000 killed.
What People Are Saying
In a post on X, Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, wrote: “Thanks to the coordinated combat work of our defenders, more than one and a half thousand (1,609) enemy armored combat vehicles and 748 tanks have been neutralized since the beginning of the year. Thank you to our soldiers! The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to destroy the occupiers and their equipment. Glory to Ukraine!”
In an analysis published in February, the IISS think tank wrote: “While Russian forces are likely to degrade in the coming months, they have been sufficiently reconstituted and adapted to sustain offensive operations for at least another year; this would, however, come at a very high cost of equipment and casualties.
“The situation is not as dire for Ukraine as it was in early 2024, but it will still rely on Western support and improving its manpower-management to avoid further setbacks on the battlefield.”
What Happens Next
Russia may have problems after the ceasefire ends as it may not have time to restock its equipment to carry on fighting effectively.
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