Ukraine’s newly appointed defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, has announced a bold and aggressive goal for the country’s armed forces: to inflict at least 50,000 Russian deaths each month in the ongoing war. Fedorov revealed this during a media briefing shortly after taking over leadership of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.
In his first public remarks, Fedorov outlined two main priorities for his tenure. The first is reforming military management, making the system more efficient, results-oriented, and accountable. He emphasized that only commanders and officers who deliver measurable results would remain in leadership roles. The second, and far more striking, objective is the target of 50,000 Russian casualties per month, which he described as central to Ukraine’s military strategy and crucial to weakening Russia’s war effort.
Ukraine’s Military Goals and Casualty Claims
Fedorov made these comments just days after being confirmed as defense minister by Ukraine’s parliament on January 14, 2026. Before this appointment, he served as deputy prime minister and as minister of digital transformation, where he oversaw several military technology projects, including drone production and programs linking Ukraine’s digital and defense sectors.
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Addressing the casualty figures, Fedorov said that in December 2025, Ukrainian forces had killed around 35,000 Russian soldiers, with these losses reportedly verified through video evidence. He suggested that if Ukraine can increase this number to 50,000 per month, it would put substantial pressure on Russia’s ability to continue its offensive. Fedorov noted that while Russia treats its soldiers as replaceable, there are already signs that replenishing forces is becoming increasingly difficult, signaling potential strain on Moscow’s war resources.
He also highlighted the strategic importance of tracking and verifying these losses. Ukraine claims to maintain detailed battlefield records, including videos and other data, to support its casualty estimates. These steps are part of Ukraine’s effort to measure the impact of its operations and plan its strategy more effectively.
Reported Losses and Manpower Challenges
Casualty figures are difficult to verify independently because both Ukraine and Russia rarely release full, detailed reports. However, Ukraine’s General Staff estimates that Russian losses — including those killed, wounded, or missing — may have exceeded 1.2 million since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Fedorov’s office supports these numbers with verified field reports and visual evidence.
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The war has created serious manpower challenges for both sides. Russia uses contract soldiers to replace its losses, while Ukraine struggles to keep front-line infantry units filled. This shortage makes sustaining high-intensity combat increasingly difficult.
Fedorov also revealed that Ukrainian authorities are seeking around two million people for evading mobilization, and that another 200,000 soldiers are marked as absent without leave (AWOL). These figures underline the pressure Ukraine faces in maintaining enough troops to continue its military operations effectively.
Strategy and Current War Situation Under Fedorov
Fedorov’s statements underline a strategy focused on intensifying pressure on Russian forces. The goal of 50,000 casualties per month is intended to make the war “unbearable” for Moscow and to test Russia’s capacity to replace its losses over time. Achieving this objective, Fedorov said, would require system-wide reforms within Ukraine’s defense establishment, including better measurement, coordination, and management of operations.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has continued for more than four years, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. Ukraine has relied heavily on drones, artillery, and international military support, while Russia continues to deploy large conventional forces. Front-line battles throughout 2025 involved repeated gains and losses for both sides, underscoring the intense and ongoing nature of the conflict.
As of early 2026, heavy fighting continues along key fronts, and both countries report significant battlefield losses. Fedorov’s statement on Ukraine’s monthly casualty goal emphasizes the intensity of the conflict and the Ukrainian military’s focus on inflicting sustained pressure on Russian forces.