Fact Check: Over 1,010,000 Russian casualties reported since the invasion began.

Fact Check: "Over 1,010,000 Russian casualties reported since the invasion began."

What We Know

As of June 12, 2025, military officials in Kyiv reported that Russian military casualties have exceeded 1 million since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This figure includes approximately 250,000 killed, according to the Ukrainian General Staff and corroborated by Western intelligence estimates (AP News). The Center for Strategic and International Studies also predicted that Russia would reach this grim milestone during the summer of 2025, describing it as a "stunning and grisly milestone" (AP News).

Moreover, the U.K. Defense Ministry has supported these claims, stating that Russia has suffered over 1 million casualties, which aligns with the assessments made by various military analysts (AP News).

Analysis

The claim that over 1,010,000 Russian casualties have been reported since the invasion began is substantiated by multiple sources, including official statements from Ukrainian military officials and corroborating reports from Western intelligence agencies. The reliability of these sources is generally considered high, particularly given the context of ongoing military assessments and the involvement of reputable institutions like the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the U.K. Defense Ministry (AP News, Economist, New York Times).

However, it is important to note that casualty figures in conflict zones can be difficult to verify independently. Both Ukrainian and Russian sources have been known to present conflicting numbers, often influenced by propaganda or strategic communication objectives (Wikipedia). For instance, while Ukraine has reported high Russian casualties, Russia has historically underreported its own losses, with the last official count being around 6,000 early in the conflict (AP News).

Despite these discrepancies, the overwhelming consensus among Western intelligence and military analysts supports the assertion that Russian casualties have indeed surpassed 1 million, making this claim credible.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that over 1,010,000 Russian casualties have been reported since the invasion began is accurate. This conclusion is based on consistent reports from credible military sources and corroborated by Western intelligence estimates, despite the inherent challenges in verifying casualty figures in an ongoing conflict.

Fact Check: Over 1,010,000 Russian casualties reported since the invasion began.