Although the exact numbers are unknown, the extent of the tragedy is enormous. In February 2022, Russian troops invaded Ukraine, thus starting one of the most murderous and destructive wars of the 21st century.

However, there are no specific, acceptable numbers, numbers on the extent of the disaster. Most likely, the numbers mentioned around the dead civilians are smaller than the real and elements officially possessed by the Russian and Ukraine governments are very difficult to cross – due to the chaos of war.

DW studied a number of data sources, which systematically and through transparent processes are developments in Ukraine.

Battles continue

After the attack in early 2022, the Russian troops were forced to confine themselves to the southeastern part of Ukraine, where the most severe battles of the war are still taking place. According to the Associated Press, of course, the Russians have now begun to advance again, while the Ukrainians find it difficult to maintain the re -established territories.

Recording the data around the war requires the combination of various research methods. The War Study Institute for example uses satellite images, snapshots of battles, formal military reports and geo -geo -geopente data from mobile devices.

In March 2022, Russia controlled about 22% of Ukrainian territory – including Crimea, which it annexed illegally in 2014, and the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Today, after the Ukrainian counterattack, Russia continues to control about 18.5% of Ukrainian territory – or more than 111,000 square kilometers.

Fewer bombs, more drones

According to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), an organization that monitors news coverage and military reports from Ukraine and Russia, at the beginning of the war there are more missile attacks, mainly with rocket weapons of territory.

While military aid to Ukraine has begun to decline and the country’s air defense was reduced, according to ACLED, Russia has increasingly air attacks since January 2024 – using many more drones.

Reuters reports that fighter drones can be manufactured at a cost of just $ 500 and can, however, cause serious damage to weapons systems and armored vehicles worth millions of dollars. That is why the heavy artillery units are gradually withdrawing from the front line.

ACLED also noted that the “armed conflict”, that is, the battles where two infantry troops fight nearby with a fire exchanged, have increased, as Russians gradually “break” the first lines of Ukrainian defense and occupy more territories in the southeast.

Huge number of dead

In December, President Zelenski said that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers and 198,000 Russian troops had been killed. Various media, such as The Economist, the Russian BBC and the Wall Street Journal have published their own numbers – and all estimates are more or less different.

The Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), a research team at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, estimates, however, that 174,000 to 420,000 people have been killed in the three years when the war in Ukraine has been raging.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), he estimates that 12,500 civilians have been killed since the beginning of the war. However, this number is only derived from confirmed deaths or through reliable records, such as medical records. However, given the circumstances in times of war and the occupation of some areas by Russians, the numbers may not be valid – and the dead may be even more.

Most victims were killed in early 2022, but the number began to grow significantly again by 2024. According to OHCHR reports almost all victims were killed by bombs, rockets, air attacks and drones attacks in densely populated areas.

Throughout Ukraine, many habitable areas have been affected. Following thorough research, Bellingcat research journalism has confirmed and categorized more than 2,000 cases of damage to urban structures, including educational and health facilities – which are supposed to be protected by international humanitarian law.

Thousands of displaced

At the same time, about 10 million people are estimated to have been forced to leave their homes and are now displaced somewhere in Ukraine or have fled abroad.

According to the UNHCR, who is watching the number of displaced people around the world, there are about 3.7 million displaced within Ukraine. Still 6 million have left the country as refugees – most of them have gone to European states, such as Germany and Poland.

Curated by: George Passas