Ukraine has a seven-to-one kill ratio in the war against Russia, CGS reveals

The Ukrainians have a steady state level of lethality measured in about seven-to-one on a kill ratio, the Chief of the General Staff has said. 

General Sir Roly Walker, the British Army's chief, who was speaking at the International Armoured Vehicles Conference at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, said that it takes nations to win wars as he summarised his analysis on the nearly four-year-long war between Moscow and Kyiv. 

The Chief of the General Staff's (CGS) comments follow the news that roughly 415,000 Russian soldiers were killed or gravely injured in Ukraine last year, according to figures from the Ministry of Defence. 

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Attack drones caused the majority (80%) of these deaths. In December 2025, Kyiv's troops hit 33,019 Russians using uncrewed aerial vehicles. 

"Tactically, that battlefield is being reshaped by that lethality," Gen Sir Roly said. 

"Soldiers in Ukraine are, increasingly, sinking ships beyond the line of sight, and they are holding air forces at bay beyond the horizon. 

"Drone pilots, civilian drone pilots, are rewriting the rules of anti-armour, and the Ukrainians have a steady state level of lethality measured in about seven to one on a kill ratio."

Gen Sir Roly warned: "Armies may well be able to win the battles, but it takes nations to win wars. 

"Deterrence today is not just about the boots on the ground at the front. 

"It's about the ability to regenerate, outproduce and outlast from the back to the front."

The CGS added that Moscow should not be taken too lightly, as they are constantly adapting to the new innovative ways that the Ukrainians use to fight against them.

Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Rich Knighton previously said that the "whole nation" will need to step up to ensure that Britain can continue to function in a crisis at his first annual Royal United Services Institute lecture in December last year.