Four years on, Russia is still paying for a fatal miscalculation in Ukraine
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- Despite initial disbelief, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, expecting a swift victory within 10 days, but the conflict has now lasted over four years with devastating consequences.
- Casualty estimates reveal nearly 1.2 million Russian military dead and injured, with around 325,000 killed, and Ukrainian losses between 500,000 and 600,000, marking one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II.
- Russia's economy, initially buoyed by oil and gas exports and military spending, now faces labor shortages, inflation, and rising consumer prices, reflecting the growing domestic strain caused by the prolonged war.
- The invasion has backfired diplomatically, pushing Finland
