Taylor Weighs In on Russia’s Toll in the War With Ukraine in Forbes Article

August 16, 2026

Forbes

Brian Taylor

Political Science Department

Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs

Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict & Collaboration

Conflict

Government

International Affairs

Russia

Ukraine

Forbes

Brian Taylor

Russia has suffered massive military and economic losses in its war against Ukraine—including 1.4 million battlefield casualties, heavy equipment losses and a straining economy—yet has made no significant territorial gains and continues pursuing full control of the Donbas. Amid war weariness and stalled voluntary recruitment, Russian officials are reportedly discussing a new mobilization that could occur after September's State Duma elections.

“Russians generally are tired of the war and want it to end,” says Brian Taylor, director of the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs. “They are well aware that the full-scale war against Ukraine started in 2022 has already lasted longer than the ‘Great Patriotic War’ against Nazi Germany. This war weariness does not mean, however, that Russians want peace at any price, or that they will protest against the war.”

Read more in the Forbes article, “Russia’s War Toll Mounts In Ukraine Amid A Possible Mobilization.”