Fact Check: "Ukraine alone lost more than 10 million people during the war."
What We Know
The claim that Ukraine has lost more than 10 million people during the war is significantly exaggerated. According to the Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War, the total estimated military and civilian deaths in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict, including the War in Donbas and the Russian invasion that began in 2022, ranges from approximately 14,200 to 14,400 deaths prior to 2022, with an additional estimated 1,000,000 casualties reported by mid-September 2024. This brings the total to around 1,014,400, which is far below the 10 million figure claimed.
The reported figures include military personnel and civilians, but they do not approach the claim of 10 million. The casualty figures are also complicated by various factors, including underreporting and the chaotic nature of war, which can lead to discrepancies in the numbers reported by different sources.
Analysis
The assertion that Ukraine has lost over 10 million people appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the actual casualty figures. The Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War provides a detailed breakdown of deaths, indicating that the total is significantly lower than the claim. The highest estimates for military and civilian losses combined are around 1 million, which includes both confirmed deaths and those missing or captured.
Furthermore, the claim lacks credible sourcing and does not align with the data available from reputable organizations and reports. For instance, the AP News corroborates the estimate of over 1 million casualties for Russian forces but does not support the claim regarding Ukrainian losses reaching 10 million. The figures reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February 2025 indicated approximately 45,100 Ukrainian military deaths, which further contradicts the claim of 10 million total losses.
The sources used in this analysis, particularly the Wikipedia entry on casualties and the AP News report, are generally reliable, as they compile data from various credible organizations and governmental sources. However, the claim itself lacks substantiation from any recognized authority or independent verification.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that Ukraine alone lost more than 10 million people during the war is false. The actual estimated casualties, including military and civilian losses, are significantly lower, with figures around 1 million being the highest credible estimates. This discrepancy highlights the importance of verifying claims with reliable data and sources.
