Ukrainian forces have significantly slowed the advance of Russian troops and are gradually regaining initiative on the battlefield, according to Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. This shift is attributed to various factors, including the disabling of Starlink services for Russian forces and the increased use of medium-range drones.
Fedorov noted that the cessation of Starlink services in February 2026 has left Russian forces without a viable alternative, providing Ukraine with a critical edge. Additionally, the acquisition of medium-range drones has become a key technological advantage, contributing to a strategy that aims to inflict substantial losses on Russian troops.
The minister emphasized the goal of causing at least 200 enemy casualties for every square kilometer of territory gained. He reported that Ukrainian forces have inflicted catastrophic losses on Russian troops, with verified figures indicating that in April alone, 35,203 Russian soldiers were killed or seriously wounded. This follows similar high casualty numbers from previous months, with March seeing 35,351 and December 34,544.
Fedorov highlighted the escalating cost for Russian forces, stating that their losses per square kilometer have dramatically increased over recent months. For instance, in October, the loss rate was 67 soldiers per square kilometer, which rose to 244 by February.
Earlier this week, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, discussed the effectiveness of an ‘active defense’ strategy with NATO allies. This approach is designed to exhaust the enemy, reclaim positions, and maximize enemy losses. Since the beginning of 2026, total Russian losses have reportedly surpassed 141,500, with over 83,000 classified as irretrievable.
Russian media outlets, including Meduza and Mediazona, estimated the total losses of the Russian army at the end of 2025 to be around 352,000, which includes 261,000 regular fatalities and 90,000 classified as missing or deceased under court rulings, often with delays in registration.
As of April 2026, journalists from the BBC Russian Service and Mediazona, along with volunteer teams, confirmed the identities of at least 212,188 Russian servicemen who have died in the conflict since February 2022, based on publicly available information.
International organizations and intelligence agencies estimate total Russian casualties, including both killed and wounded, to be significantly higher. A NATO official, speaking anonymously in December 2025, suggested that the total number of Russian casualties could approach 1.15 million.
Ukrainian forces are making significant strides against Russian troops, bolstered by tactical advancements and substantial enemy losses. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported a critical shift in battlefield dynamics, driven by the disabling of Starlink services and enhanced drone capabilities.