Beginning of the War: Unexpected Scenario
Three years ago, the Kremlin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, hoping for a quick victory in a few days. However, the reality turned out to be quite different. Instead of a swift takeover, Russia faced strong resistance and incurred the loss of thousands of soldiers and equipment.
Occupiers’ Losses: Shocking Figures
Over three years of war, the losses of the Russian army have reached levels that cannot be ignored. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, approximately 350–400 thousand Russian soldiers were killed or wounded. Just in the fall and early winter of 2024, the Russians lost over 125 thousand individuals, while only capturing 2,356 km² of the Donbas territory. This means that each square kilometer of occupied land cost the Kremlin approximately 53 lives.
Air War: a New Level of Threat
Russia extensively uses drones and missiles. The largest attack took place in December 2024 — 94 missiles and 193 drones at once. However, the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces managed to neutralize most of the threats: 80 out of 86 missiles and 191 drones were shot down.
Ukrainian Response: Drones That Changed the Course of War
Ukrainian drones now reach deep into Russian territory up to 2,000 km away. The Kursk operation, started over six months ago, became a vivid example of Ukraine’s effective offensive tactics. The Ukrainian Armed Forces took control of 428 km² of the Kursk Oblast territory in Russia, causing significant losses to the occupiers.
Air Battle Records: F-16 in Action
In December 2024, a Ukrainian pilot flying an F-16 fighter jet shot down six Russian cruise missiles in a single flight — an absolute record for this type of aircraft. This feat was not only a technical victory but also a symbol of the strength and valor of the Ukrainian military.
Artillery Advantage of Ukraine
The year 2024 was a breakthrough year for the Ukrainian artillery: over 23,000 Russian artillery systems were destroyed. Thanks to effective counter-battery work and the use of drones, Ukraine significantly weakened the enemy’s firepower.
Losses of Russian Equipment: Devastating Statistics
During three years of war, Ukraine destroyed over 10,000 Russian tanks, more than 21,000 armored vehicles, 370 aircraft, 330 helicopters, and 28 ships and boats. These numbers indicate a significant weakening of the military potential of the Russian Federation.
Economic Burden for Russia
The war costs Russia an incredible amount of money. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Russia’s military expenditures in 2024 amounted to around $462 billion — more than the combined defense budgets of all European countries.
Conclusions: Time has shown who is stronger
Three years ago, the Kremlin planned for a lightning victory but instead faced a prolonged war with huge losses and the collapse of myths about the “invincible” Russian army. Ukraine not only endured but also proved to the world its ability to fight and prevail even in the face of the most terrifying challenges.
