The Costs of War

This photo essay portrays the human costs of the Russian invasion in Ukraine throughout its fourth year.

The brutality of the Russian war in Ukraine is devastating: the families destroyed by Russian bombs, that obliterate entire blocks in cities along the frontlines; an entire generation of young men, maimed and killed by attack drones and artillery - those who would have had long and fulfilling family lives ahead of them; Russian soldiers tempted to fight in Putin's war by propaganda or money, sent to die, their bodies left for months, in fields too dangerous to enter.

The U. N. human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine has verified at least 14, 300 civilian deaths and 37, 000 injured since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In 2025 alone, the U. N. recorded at least 2, 514 civilian deaths and 12, 142 injuries, the highest annual civilian toll since Russia's full-scale invasion. It was driven largely by intensified long-range and drone attacks.

Ukraine's armed forces have suffered more than 46, 000 casualties and 390, 000 wounded, most of whom were civilians before February 2022 too. At least 325, 000 Russians have died since the invasion of Ukraine began. In total, Russian forces have suffered nearly 1. 2 million casualties, more losses than any major power in any war since World War II. The total number of casualties from the war is expected to pass two million this spring.

This photo essay offers a necessary reflection on the suffering of the Ukrainian people as the public discourse shifts toward geopolitical debate, away from the human cost of the war.