Three years after the beginning of the Russian attack war, the situation of Ukraine is more difficult than ever. On February 24th, the beginning of the invasion of the invasion for the third time, on this day 2022 Russia’s head of state Vladimir Putin gave his troops the command to march into the neighboring country. Since then, the second largest country in Europe has been threatened in its existence. The security architecture of the continent has started to slide.
The United States has been the greatest supporter in Ukraine to date. But under the new President Donald Trump they are looking for a balance to Russia and want a quick end to the fights. The European countries days in crisis mode: How should they help Ukraine and react to America’s dwindling protection? Questions and answers about a bitter anniversary:
How many people have been killed in three years?
There are no exact figures, but the number of deaths goes into the tens of thousands and possibly even hundreds of thousands. The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj recently spoke of more than 46,000 soldiers killed. However, the internet project, UA Losses, counted at least 65,500 names of dead Ukrainian soldiers based on public sources and data online. Tens of thousands are missing.
According to the UN, the death of 12,600 Ukrainian civilians was confirmed by the end of January. 29,200 were injured. But there are also tens of thousands of people missing there, including victims of the Russian fire at the port city of Mariupol at the beginning of the war.
On the Russian side, Internet research showed at least 93,600 dead soldiers. The Russian service of the BBC called a bandwidth between 159,500 and 223,500 dead soldiers. The Russian leadership officially does not give any numbers. According to media reports, several hundred civilians have so far been killed in the border areas of Russia.
What is the military situation at the moment?
The Ukrainian army has been on its withdrawal since autumn 2023. It is under pressure, especially in the east in the Donetsk area. Another 400 square kilometers have been lost there since 2025. Almost a fifth of Ukraine is controlled Russian. The Ukrainian troops have been in the Russian area of Kursk since August 2024. But this bridgehead also shrinks.
The opponent’s superiority of soldiers and technology as well as the sliding bombs used by the Russian Air Force make the opponent’s superiority of soldiers and technology. Flying flags and the sluggish mobilization continue to thin out the ranks of the defenders. Ukraine achieves success with further developed combat drones that attack industrial plants in the Russian back area. Russian warships hardly dare to attack the Black Sea from the sea.
How does Ukraine live under the three years of war?
Three years of war have left deep traces in the Ukrainian society. In the east and south, many cities are heavily devastated by Russian attacks. Foreign aid and loans of more than 39 billion euros are still flowing annually, so far they have prevented collapse. Pensions and salaries are paid on time. The army is financed stable. Agriculture continues to work despite all the problems. But in 2024 inflation unexpectedly paped up from five to twelve percent.
Far from the front, the problems cannot be seen at first glance. The shops are full, restaurants are open, petrol stations work, the traffic is tight. Almost every night is air alarm. But shops, cafes and bars with generators have prepared themselves against the power failures after Russian attacks. For larger companies, however, the procurement of electricity is a problem and leads to production failures.
Surveys also show after three years of Russian invasion that more than half of the Ukrainians are still behind President Selenskyj – even if Trump doubts this. There is also a majority against regional detections and other concessions towards Russia. However, the proportion of those who want an end to the war on negotiations and compromises increases.
How does Ukraine want to reach the end of the war?
Officially, Ukraine will hardly do without its areas occupied by Russia. The demands that the Russians retire behind the border are practically silent. Selenskyj speaks less about victory than a just peace. The crucial question is how Ukraine can be protected after an end to the fights.
“The first priority is security guarantees – not only in words, but in real economic and military strength,” said Selenskyj. “Ukraine cannot live under the threat of a new attack.” This means a combination of NATO and EU membership, the deployment of troops of friendly states and a strong own army.
And on the other hand: How did the war change Russia?
There is little to see from the war in Moscow – even the posters that call for front use with high bonuses have become less. Soldiers run around at best at the train stations. Nationwide, the militarization of Russia has progressed greatly. So Russia has switched fully to war economy. For the military and security, the Russian leadership spends the equivalent of around 135 billion euros this year. This corresponds to around 40 percent of budget expenses.
The armaments sector is the growth driver of the Russian economy. The high soldiers to the front soldiers and the compensation to the surviving worries in the province for a modest upswing.
At the same time, war rhetoric runs society and politics. Critical statements about Putin’s invasion and the atrocities of Russian soldiers are prohibited. Different people sit in prison, silence or are in exile. A fortress mentality has spread due to the incessant propaganda in wide layers. In the beginning, the shock of the attack on the neighboring country was felt with many simple Russians. Now a large part has come to terms and sees itself in a conflict with the West.
Is Moscow ready to end the war?
Putin is glad that Trump wants to talk to him again. He has repeatedly emphasized his fundamental willingness to negotiate. But because he sees himself militarily on the winning road, it remains with maximum demands. They amount to a political submission of the neighboring country.
Russia unchangeable the Crimea peninsula and the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Saporischschja and Cherson as its territory. This would mean that Ukraine would also have to clear the major cities of Saporischschja and Cherson that it defended so far.
A remaining ukraine, as always, should also have an impact under Moscow. So Russia rejects NATO membership of Ukraine. It requires extensive disarmament of the neighbor and a say in language policy for the Russian minority in the country.
(None) view of an end?
The rapprochement between the new US administration and the Kremlin quickly takes shapes-Trump and Putin have phoned the phone, the foreign minister met in Saudi Arabia, a summit is in the room. Ukraine threatens the risk that the big nuclear powers will agree behind their back.
Because the United States has declared Kiev NATO membership and the reconquest of lost areas unrealistic. Trump returned his anger against Selenskyj, called him a dictator and even accused Ukraine of having started the war himself.
The US announcement in the bones that they are not allowed to have a say in Ukraine, but the burdens of peacekeeping should not be shouldered at Ukraine. And your own protection under the US on the US on Moscow wobbles. The EU countries advise on the threatening situation in ever new rounds. A defense of Ukraine would be expensive. But it is also clear to the Europeans that a forced peace with a barely viable Ukraine could once again fled.
