Rome, 30 Dec. (LaPresse) – The path towards a possible ceasefire in Ukraine is proving to be the bloodiest since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. According to extensive analysis by the BBC and independent researchers, Russian losses reached record levels in 2025. The data shows an alarming trend: as the administration of US President Donald Trump stepped up diplomatic efforts for peace, the fighting became more deadly. Far from slowing down, the conflict saw a 40% increase in reports of Russian soldier deaths compared to the previous year. Analysts interpret the escalation as a race to gain ground before any armistice lines are drawn. The increase in casualties became apparent in February 2025, the same month that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin began direct talks on ending the war. According to the BBC, which works with the independent website Mediazona and a network of volunteers, the names of some 160,000 Russian soldiers killed in combat have so far been confirmed through open sources. However, military experts estimate that the actual death toll could be much higher, ranging from 243,000 to 352,000.
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