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As of January 11, the ongoing conflict initiated by Russia against Ukraine has now exceeded the duration of the Soviet Union’s battle against Nazi Germany during World War II. Although these two conflicts differ in several respects, the length of Russia’s invasion has sparked discussions drawing parallels to the Eastern Front, which the Soviet Union referred to as the Great Patriotic War. Critics of the current war, including some who support it but critique Russia’s military leadership, often highlight how the Red Army managed to recover from early setbacks and advance to Berlin within four years. In stark contrast, Russian troops have engaged in prolonged struggles over the same towns and villages in eastern Ukraine for years.
However, such comparisons should be approached with caution. The struggle during World War II involved major world powers mobilizing their entire economies and societies in a manner unseen in contemporary conflicts. Millions of soldiers were deployed, and the combat intensity far exceeded anything experienced in the 21st century. An analysis by Meduza indicates that the ongoing conflict is an existential crisis primarily for Ukraine. The combination of total mobilization and substantial support from Western allies has enabled Kyiv to maintain its defense. Conversely, the Kremlin’s efforts appear limited or unwilling to engage in a similar level of mobilization, despite portraying the conflict as a vital fight against the West.
Understanding the current conflict
Before delving deeper into the comparisons, it is crucial to acknowledge the gaps in our understanding regarding Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In contrast to the extensive research conducted on World War II over the past 85 years, data on the current conflict remains scarce and often unreliable, largely due to wartime censorship. This is particularly true regarding Ukraine’s military capabilities, such as the precise number of troops, casualty rates, and the extent of mobilization.
While there are limited insights into Ukraine’s military statistics, estimates suggest that the Ukrainian armed forces may be closer in size to their Russian counterparts than previously thought. In contrast, more reliable data is available regarding the Russian military, thanks in part to independent analysts and journalists who have worked to counter military censorship.
Statistics and historical context
When examining how long Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has lasted compared to the Great Patriotic War, it is important to note that the commonly cited duration of the Soviet Union’s conflict with Nazi Germany is 1,418 days. Whether this figure is entirely accurate is debated, as warfare continued in various forms after Germany’s formal surrender. A more precise delineation could define the war’s start as the moment Germany declared hostilities on June 22, 1941, concluding with the unconditional surrender on May 9, 1945. This would yield a more accurate total of 1,416 days and 22 hours.
By applying a similar framework to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, starting from Vladimir Putin’s address on February 24, 2026, the ongoing conflict officially surpassed the Great Patriotic War’s duration on January 11, 2026, around 4:00 a.m. This framework allows for a clearer understanding of the timeline involved.
Casualties and military losses
Examining the casualty figures reveals a stark contrast between the two conflicts. The war between the USSR and Nazi Germany resulted in the loss of millions of lives. In the current conflict in Ukraine, estimates suggest that combined casualties on both sides are significantly less than one million. This disparity highlights the scale of the respective conflicts, with over 23 million Soviet troops involved on the Eastern Front alone, compared to an estimated three million total military personnel on both sides in the ongoing war.
Accurate comparisons are hampered by the lack of reliable data surrounding casualties in the current war. For Russia, some estimates are derived from obituaries, burial records, and mortality statistics. For Ukraine, however, the available data is much more limited. Our analysis takes into account the best available figures—first from the USSR’s total losses during WWII, and then assessing military losses for both Russia and Ukraine in the current conflict.
Historical loss comparisons
The total losses during WWII are well documented, with figures around 26.6 million casualties attributed to the Soviet Union. This estimate is derived using demographic analysis that considers the difference in population before and after the war. In contrast, estimates for Ukraine’s losses during WWII indicate significant excess mortality, with figures around 6.7 million due to war-related causes alone.
In the context of Russia’s ongoing invasion, official casualty data remains scarce. The Russian Defense Ministry’s figures from 2026 indicated a significantly lower death toll than independent assessments. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cited around 31,000 military deaths, a number likely underestimated based on independent data sources that report far higher figures.
However, such comparisons should be approached with caution. The struggle during World War II involved major world powers mobilizing their entire economies and societies in a manner unseen in contemporary conflicts. Millions of soldiers were deployed, and the combat intensity far exceeded anything experienced in the 21st century. An analysis by Meduza indicates that the ongoing conflict is an existential crisis primarily for Ukraine. The combination of total mobilization and substantial support from Western allies has enabled Kyiv to maintain its defense. Conversely, the Kremlin’s efforts appear limited or unwilling to engage in a similar level of mobilization, despite portraying the conflict as a vital fight against the West.0