Ukrainian Defenses Strained as Missile and Drone Barrage Escalates

(LibertySociety.com) – Russia’s relentless bombardment of Ukraine continues with nearly 4,000 drones and over 100 missiles launched in a single month, as civilian death toll surpasses 13,000 amid EU’s struggle to maintain unified sanctions.

Key Takeaways

• Russian forces launched 3,973 drones and 119 missiles in May 2025 alone, with Ukrainian defenses intercepting less than half of these weapons.
• Civilian casualties have reached devastating levels with 13,341 killed and 32,744 injured in Ukraine since February 2022, according to UN data.
• The EU’s 17th sanctions package targets Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, but Slovakia demands €20 billion in compensation before supporting further energy sanctions.
• Military casualties are staggering with estimates of 400,000-700,000 Ukrainian forces killed or injured, highlighting the brutal stalemate that has developed.
• Internal EU divisions are hampering efforts to cut Russian gas by 2027 and lower the G7 oil price cap to $45 per barrel.

Russia’s Unrelenting Assault on Ukraine

The war in Ukraine has entered a devastating new phase as Russian forces continue their merciless bombardment of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. In May 2025 alone, Russia launched an overwhelming barrage of 3,973 drones, 44 ballistic missiles, and 75 cruise missiles against Ukrainian targets. Despite valiant defensive efforts, Ukrainian forces were only able to intercept 1,918 drones, 8 ballistic missiles, and 57 cruise missiles, leaving significant numbers of deadly projectiles to reach their intended targets across the war-torn nation.

The human cost of this relentless assault continues to mount at an alarming rate. According to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), by May 31, 2025, there have been 46,085 documented civilian casualties in Ukraine, including 13,341 killed and 32,744 injured since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. These figures are widely considered to be substantial underestimates, as they only include verified cases, with actual numbers believed to be significantly higher due to difficulties in documentation during active hostilities.

Mounting Casualties on Both Sides

The scale of military losses has reached catastrophic proportions. In January 2025, President Zelenskyy estimated that Ukrainian forces had suffered approximately 400,000 casualties (killed or injured) with an additional 35,000 personnel missing in action. However, by May 2025, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency presented a grimmer assessment, suggesting Ukrainian military casualties had reached approximately 700,000. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) offered a slightly more conservative estimate in June 2025, placing Ukrainian losses at around 400,000, including 60,000-100,000 killed and 300,000-340,000 wounded.

Russian forces have not escaped the brutal toll of this conflict. NATO estimates place Russian military casualties at over 790,000 killed or injured, representing a staggering loss of manpower. Meanwhile, Russia’s Investigative Committee has reported 620 civilians killed and 3,271 injured on Russian territories due to Ukrainian fire. These devastating figures on both sides underscore the brutal nature of what has become a protracted war of attrition with no clear end in sight, as territorial control remains largely static since early 2025.

EU’s Expanding Sanctions Regime

On May 20, 2025, the European Union adopted its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, further tightening the economic screws on Moscow’s war machine. This latest round includes new asset freezes targeting six entities in media, internet, and maritime sectors, along with 22 individuals deemed complicit in Russia’s war efforts. The package also implements new transaction bans and broadcasting prohibitions aimed at curtailing Russian propaganda and financial capabilities.

A significant focus of the new sanctions is Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” – oil tankers used to circumvent previous restrictions. The EU has now designated 189 additional vessels, bringing the total to 342, and has prohibited services to these vessels including port access, insurance, and other maritime support. This move represents a direct attack on Russia’s ability to export oil at market prices, a crucial source of revenue for funding its military operations in Ukraine.

“The EU remains unwavering in its commitment to Ukraine and will continue to increase pressure on Russia to end its illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine,” stated the European Council in its announcement of the new sanctions package.

Slovakia’s Resistance Threatens EU Unity

Despite the EU’s determination to maintain a united front against Russian aggression, internal divisions are threatening to undermine the bloc’s sanctions regime. Slovakia has emerged as a significant obstacle to further energy sanctions, demanding €20 billion in potential compensation and firm guarantees on energy security before supporting new measures against Russian fuel imports. This stance reflects deep concerns about the economic impact of reduced access to Russian energy supplies, particularly as the EU pushes to cut Russian gas entirely by 2027.

Slovakia’s position aligns with Hungary’s long-standing opposition to energy sanctions, creating a fracture in EU consensus at a critical moment. The EU is currently pushing to lower the G7 oil price cap to $45 per barrel, a move that would further squeeze Russian oil revenues but potentially create energy security challenges for certain member states. Slovakia’s Prime Minister has made it clear that while his country supports Ukraine, it will not sacrifice its own economic stability without significant compensation and guarantees.

“Slovakia is ready to support sanctions against Russia, but we demand guarantees on energy security and appropriate compensation for potential economic damage,” stated a senior Slovak government official. “Our economy cannot bear the full brunt of these sanctions without support from our European partners.”

Military Stalemate Persists

As the war grinds on, a grim military stalemate has taken hold across the front lines. Despite the massive expenditure of munitions and the horrific human toll, neither side has achieved significant territorial gains in 2025. Russian forces continue their strategy of overwhelming firepower and attrition, while Ukrainian defenders maintain their positions with increasingly strained resources and manpower. This deadlock reflects the brutal reality of modern warfare when both sides are determined to continue fighting despite enormous losses.

The stalemate situation is particularly concerning given the ongoing challenges in maintaining Western support for Ukraine. As the conflict extends into its fourth year with no resolution in sight, questions about sustainability of military aid and the effectiveness of sanctions continue to grow. Meanwhile, Russian forces show no signs of reducing their assault, with the May 2025 figures demonstrating their continued capacity to launch thousands of attacks despite international isolation and economic pressure.

​Copyright 2025, LibertySociety.com