Ukrainian FM Sibiha Details Russia's Mounting War Failures: 480,000 Troops Lost and a $21 Billion Deficit.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Outlines Russia's Staggering War Losses and Economic Strain
According to Novyny.live: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sibiha has detailed the significant failures Russia is facing in its war against Ukraine, highlighting severe military casualties and economic troubles for the aggressor nation. According to Sibiha, Russia lost approximately 480,000 soldiers in 2025, a figure that underscores the dire situation on the front lines. These assessments come from Ukrainian officials and reflect the ongoing intensity of the conflict, now in its fourth year.
Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territory had shrunk to just 0.7% by 2025. By January 2026, this figure had further dwindled to a mere 0.04%. In the two-year period from January 2024 to January 2026, Russia managed to increase its control over the territory of Donetsk Oblast by only 21%. These numbers point to a steady erosion of Russia's battlefield positions.
Furthermore, Russia's domestic economic situation is also a cause for concern. The combined budget deficit of Russian regions reached $21 billion in 2025. The number of companies shutting down in Russia rose by 15%, indicating serious problems within the business environment. Simultaneously, in 2025, there were 719 strikes on legitimate military targets within Russia, resulting in damages estimated at around $15 billion.
Andrii Sibiha stated that 'the situation for Russia will worsen both on the front and in the economy.'
He also emphasized that 'the greater the pressure on Moscow and the support for Ukraine, the sooner the conflict can end,' calling for increased pressure on the Kremlin. In his view, to settle the full-scale war, a peace agreement consisting of 20 points must be signed with the United States of America.
Thus, the facts and commentary presented by Sibiha suggest Russia is confronting major challenges on the battlefield and in the economic sphere, which could influence the future course of the conflict. Its declining territorial control and growing budget deficit may compel the Kremlin to reassess its strategies, with potential significant consequences for global security and the regional political landscape.
Amid these difficulties, international support for Ukraine and sustained pressure on Russia could prove to be decisive factors in achieving a swift resolution to the war.
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