As Kremlin's Ukraine Casualties Top 1 Million, Rubio Wishes Putin 'Happy Russia Day'

Multiple reports today reveal that the Russian military has suffered over 1 million casualties today - killed and wounded. This milestone was expected to be surpassed this summer, but the scale of Russian casualties pushed the date forward. 

This also happens to be 'Russia Day,' - whatever that is, so the hapless US Secretary of State offered congratulations to Putin and the Russian people, without evidently having been briefed on the sad irony. JL

Julia Struck reports in the Kyiv Post:

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the Russian people on Russia Day, June 12, while Russian military losses in the war against Ukraine surpassed one million killed and wounded. His remarks came as Ukraine’s General Staff reported - and were confirmed by British intellligence - that Russia’s total combat losses since the start of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022 exceeded 1,000,340. More than 628,000 of Russia’s total losses occurred in the past year and a half alone. Over the past 24 hours, from June 11 to 12, Russia reportedly lost 1,140 soldiers.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the Russian people on Russia Day, June 12, while Russian military losses in the war against Ukraine reportedly surpassed one million killed and wounded.

In his official statement, Rubio congratulated the Russian people on Russia Day “on behalf of the American people” and said the US would continue to support the Russian people “as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future.”

“We also take this opportunity to reaffirm the United States’ desire for constructive engagement with the Russian Federation to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine,” he stated.

 

His remarks came as Ukraine’s General Staff reported that Russia’s total combat losses since the start of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, have exceeded 1,000,000 personnel, including both killed and wounded.

Russian military losses

Over the past 24 hours alone, from June 11 to 12, Russia reportedly lost 1,140 soldiers.

“The total combat losses of the enemy from Feb. 24, 2022, to June 12, 2025, are approximately: personnel – about 1,000,340 (+1,140) eliminated,” the report stated.

The General Staff of Ukraine also reported that more than 628,000 of Russia’s total losses occurred in the past year and a half alone.

 

According to the breakdown:

• In 2022, Russia lost 106,720 personnel, averaging 340 soldiers per day.

• In 2023, Russian losses rose to 253,290 personnel, averaging 693 soldiers per day.

• In 2024, the losses surged to 430,790 personnel, with an average of 1,177 soldiers per day.

As of June 4, 2025, Russian losses had already exceeded 200,000 personnel for the year, averaging 1,286 soldiers per day.

The General Staff also highlighted the costliest days for Russian forces:

• 28, 2024 – 2,030 Russian personnel lost in a single day (according to statistics from Nov. 29).

• 19, 2024 – 2,200 Russian personnel lost (statistics from Dec. 20).

• 29, 2024 – 2,010 Russian personnel lost (statistics from Dec. 30).

“A million occupiers - a million of our steps toward a just peace,” the General Staff stated.

They added:

“A million. The world must know and remember that Ukrainians are holding back an enemy horde many times larger than themselves. The offensive potential of the enemy army has decreased by a million people. A million who could have destroyed us, but we destroyed them. This is the price the enemy pays for unleashing a bloody war in Ukraine.”

 

Russia continues striking Ukrainian civilians

In addition, Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 63 Shahed-type drones and drone decoys overnight June 12-13, targeting Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Odesa regions.

By 9 a.m., Ukrainian air defense forces had destroyed 49 drones, with 28 shot down directly and 21 neutralized by electronic warfare. Despite these efforts, drone strikes were recorded in at least seven locations, with falling debris landing in four more.

Russian forces launched two drone attacks on Kharkiv, striking several districts and injuring at least 14 people, including four children.

Oleh Synehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, reported on Telegram that the wounded include a 2-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl, and two teenagers aged 16 and 17.

The attack followed a deadly wave of Russian airstrikes early Wednesday, which killed four civilians and injured 60 others, including children.

According to local officials, Russian forces launched at least 17 Shahed (Geran-2) drones across two city districts. The strikes hit residential buildings, private homes, and industrial facilities, sparking fires. Shops, kiosks, cars, trolleybuses, and other civilian infrastructure were also damaged.

 

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks in a Telegram post, calling them yet another “vile Russian strike” and saying that almost every strike now appears to be a deliberate show of force.

He stressed that Russia deserved greater international pressure, arguing that each attack on civilian life proves the current efforts to deter Moscow are insufficient.

Zelensky also urged world leaders not to hesitate in making decisions that would complicate Russia’s position.

“Without this, they will not engage in real diplomacy. And this depends primarily on the United States and other world leaders. Everyone who has called for an end to the killings and for diplomacy must act,” the president said.