A new study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimates that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused more than 2 million military casualties. According to the American thinktank, Russian forces have suffered between 400,000 and 450,000 fatalities out of 1.4 million total casualties (killed, wounded, or missing). Ukrainian forces have lost between 125,000 and 150,000 dead out of 525,000 to 625,000 casualties. CSIS noted that Russian fatalities are more than four times greater than all US fatalities in all wars combined since World War II, and the ratio of Russian to Ukrainian casualties has likely risen to about eight to one in the first half of this year.
Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv
Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight Thursday, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens more. The strikes hit residential buildings and triggered a fire in a hotel on a central boulevard. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that a nine-storey residential building was damaged, trapping residents, and the roof of another high-rise apartment block caught fire. The first to sixth floors of an apartment building collapsed after a direct hit. Tymur Tkachenko, Kyiv's military administration chief, confirmed at least eight dead and later 56 injured. Russia's defence ministry said the attack, along with strikes on Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk, was retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on civil infrastructure.
Russia Imports Gasoline from India
Reuters reported, citing two industry sources, that Russia has started seaborne imports of petrol from India to mitigate nationwide fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure. At least 60,000 metric tons of gasoline have been sent from India to Russia, with two tankers carrying 30,000 to 40,000 tons each. The claims could not be immediately verified, and Russia's energy ministry and India's oil ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Ukrainian Strike on Ufa Oil Refinery
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv's forces struck Russia's major Ufa oil refinery in Bashkortostan for the second time in a week.
Nord Stream Sabotage Charges
German prosecutors have brought charges against a suspect in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline. Federal prosecutors confirmed to Agence France-Presse that a man had been charged, with German media reporting he is a Ukrainian national believed to be the head of the team that carried out the operation. The suspect was arrested in summer 2025 in Italy and extradited to Germany in November. Zelenskyy has said his government knew nothing about any plan to blow up the pipelines.
Ukrainian Arms Exports Framework
Ukrainian arms manufacturers will be able to export products and components under a new framework that channels a percentage of revenues into a state defence fund. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced on X that the scheme levies 20% of proceeds from finished defence goods and 30% from components. Manufacturers must prove they can fulfill Ukrainian defence orders and export contracts simultaneously, and restrictions apply to items on a list of critical goods.
