Ukraine: Four years of war have taken huge human toll | DW News

Key Concepts

• Full-Scale Invasion: Russia’s large-scale military operation launched against Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
• Counteroffensive: Ukraine’s military operations aimed at regaining territory occupied by Russia.
• Logistics: The process of planning and executing the movement and maintenance of military forces.
• Attrition Warfare (“Meat Grinder”): A military strategy focused on wearing down the enemy through sustained losses in personnel and materiel.
• Starlink: A satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, providing broadband internet access, and increasingly used for military communications.
• Territorial Control: The extent of land currently occupied by Russia within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders (approximately 20%).
• Drone Warfare: The increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for reconnaissance and attacks, particularly targeting critical infrastructure.

The Four-Year Mark of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

This report details the events of the past four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, beginning on February 24, 2022. The initial Kremlin expectation of a swift victory – capturing Kyiv within three days – proved drastically inaccurate due to underestimation of Ukrainian resistance and logistical failures.

Initial Invasion and Kyiv’s Defense (February - April 2022)

The invasion commenced before 4:00 AM with land and air assaults. Within ten days, Russian troops reached the outskirts of Kyiv, approximately 20 km from President Zelenskyy’s office, with artillery fire audible within the city. However, Ukrainian resistance proved stronger than anticipated, and Russian logistics became overstretched. By early April 2022, Ukrainian forces successfully pushed Russian troops out of the Kyiv region. This retreat revealed evidence of Russian atrocities, notably in Bucha, where scenes of widespread violence were discovered after eight months of Russian occupation.

Ukrainian Counteroffensives and Russian Gains (September 2022 - July 2025)

Beginning in September 2022, Ukraine launched successful counteroffensives, reclaiming thousands of square kilometers of territory in the south and east. While Ukraine pursued rapid gains, Russia adopted a strategy of slow, steady advance, primarily in the east. After a ten-month siege characterized as a “meat grinder,” Russia captured the city of Bahmut, reportedly incurring over 60,000 casualties (killed or wounded) in the process.

Ukraine’s long-awaited counteroffensive, launched after months of preparation and Russian fortification (including extensive minefields), yielded limited results in 2023. The front lines shifted by only a few hundred kilometers, a result described as unexpected. In a surprising move, Ukraine struck within Russian territory, capturing the town of Suja and surrounding villages in the Kursk region.

Escalation of Drone Warfare and Russian Re-Advances (January 2025 - July 2025)

From early January 2025, Ukraine intensified long-range drone attacks targeting Russian oil facilities. The objectives were to disrupt fuel supplies to the Russian army and diminish Kremlin export revenues. However, by mid-March 2025, Russian forces retook Suja, along with other Ukrainian-held territory in the Kursk region, following what Ukrainian soldiers described as a chaotic retreat.

Throughout 2025, Russian forces made slow but consistent advances, particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region. By late July 2025, Russian troops crossed into the Dnipropetrovsk region, occupying the village of Malivka. The Institute for the Study of War estimates that Russia occupied an additional 4,831 km of Ukrainian land during 2025.

Winter Warfare and Recent Gains (January 2026 - Present)

Russian missile attacks on Ukraine’s power and heating infrastructure are a recurring tactic. However, the impact of strikes after January 9, 2026, was particularly severe, causing prolonged outages lasting days rather than hours, disrupting public transportation, and leaving many residents without heating for extended periods.

More recently, Ukraine achieved its fastest battlefield gains since 2023, retaking the village of Verb and surrounding areas in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Analysts attribute this success, in part, to efforts to disrupt Russian access to Starlink satellite communications.

Casualties and Territorial Control

Official casualty figures remain undisclosed by both sides. However, analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimate that over 100,000 Ukrainian and 275,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in action over the four years of the conflict. Currently, Russia occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Perspectives from the Ground

DW’s Karolina Chmoy, reporting from Kyiv, highlights the profound social, economic, human, and psychological toll the war has taken on Ukrainian citizens. She notes widespread exhaustion due to near-daily attacks and air raids, even in major cities like Kyiv and Lviv. Despite this fatigue, Chmoy emphasizes the unwavering determination of Ukrainians not to cede territory and the government’s recognition of this sentiment. President Zelenskyy has stated Ukraine is prepared to continue fighting for years if necessary.

Chmoy also reports a lack of faith in ongoing US-brokered negotiations, with both civilians and soldiers expressing skepticism about Russia’s intentions. Many fear that Putin expects Ukraine to relinquish territory, a concession they are unwilling to make. There is also limited optimism regarding Putin’s accountability for his actions.

Political and International Support

The fourth anniversary of the invasion is marked by a visit from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, to Kyiv. This presence symbolizes strong European support for Ukraine, described as the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. President Zelenskyy is scheduled to address the nation, with security concerns influencing the timing of his press conference.

Synthesis

Four years into the conflict, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has evolved from an anticipated swift victory to a protracted and brutal war of attrition. While Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable resilience and achieved notable counteroffensives, Russia has regained momentum, particularly in the east and south. The war continues to inflict immense suffering on the Ukrainian population, and the prospects for a negotiated settlement remain dim. The conflict has highlighted the importance of logistical capabilities, the evolving role of drone warfare, and the critical need for sustained international support for Ukraine. The unwavering determination of the Ukrainian people to defend their territory remains a central factor in the ongoing struggle.