Published on: June 20, 2025 2:57 pm
📰 Russia Confirms 600,000 Troops in Ukraine Amid Heavy Casualties
War of Attrition Reaches Critical Phase in 2025
In an unprecedented slip-up, a senior Russian official has confirmed that approximately 600,000 Russian troops are now operating in Ukraine, shedding light on the scale of Russia’s commitment to a war that is bleeding both nations. The revelation came as part of a broader internal update, quickly picked up by Ukrainian and Western intelligence.
Meanwhile, Ukraine claims that since January 1, 2025, Russian forces have lost over 217,440 soldiers, making this year the deadliest phase of the war yet.
📌 Latest Developments
⚔️ Ukraine Reports Massive Russian Losses
According to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, the Russian military are losing between 35,000 and 35,000–45,000 troops monthly. These staggering figures highlight the intensity of frontline combat, especially around hot zones such as Bakhmut, Donetsk, and Kharkiv.
“This is not just a war of position anymore—it’s a war of manpower,” said Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
👥 Fresh Recruits Surge into Ukraine
Despite the high casualties, Russia is reportedly recruiting 50,000–60,000 new troops per month, most from rural regions and prison populations. Military analysts suggest that while these numbers help sustain operations, training quality and morale are deteriorating rapidly.
🔁 POW Exchange: A Small Humanitarian Breakthrough
On June 19, Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner-of-war (POW) exchange under the Istanbul Agreement, brokered with support from Turkey and the Red Cross.
- Ukraine received 86 soldiers, many of whom had been captured in Mariupol and Avdiivka.
- Russia took back 94 personnel, mostly conscripts captured in the Kharkiv counteroffensive.
This is the 5th exchange in 2025, signalling fragile but ongoing humanitarian coordination amidst relentless warfare.
📉 Human Cost and International Reactions
🧍♂️ Russian Public Opinion Fractures
Leaked videos from Russian social media show grieving families, draft evasion attempts, and protests in smaller towns—despite Kremlin censorship. While support for the “Special Military Operation” remains strong in official polls, dissent is growing underground.
🇺🇸 U.S. and NATO Monitor Escalation
The Pentagon and NATO officials remain alarmed at the troop numbers and casualty rates. The U.S. recently increased its military aid package to Ukraine by $4.5 billion, including long-range drones and counter-artillery systems.
Read more about NATO’s recent summit resolutions 📎
🔍 Expert Analysis: What Does It Mean for the War?
Why Russia’s Admission Matters
While the Kremlin has kept official war data tightly guarded, this recent figure of 600,000 troops confirms long-standing Western intelligence estimates. It also suggests a new wave of escalation, possibly ahead of a broader summer offensive in 2025.
Ukraine War 2025: Counteroffensive Plans Against Russian Troops in Ukraine
Ukrainian defense officials have hinted at launching counterattacks in the Zaporizhzhia and southern Donetsk sectors, hoping to cut off Russian supply lines from Crimea.
Economic Impact on Russia and Ukraine
- Russia’s economy is stretched, with inflation over 12% and sanctions tightening.
- Ukraine’s GDP is projected to shrink 8% in 2025, but Western aid is helping stabilise infrastructure.