The article provides a sobering overview of the current state of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, highlighting the significant territorial gains made by Russian forces in the last year, while emphasizing the catastrophic human toll. As of 2025, Russia has extended its occupation by an additional 4,524 square kilometers, which surpasses the combined advances made in the second and third years of the war. These advancements, however, have come with a heavy price, leading to an estimated 2 million casualties expected by summer, which reflects the severe human cost of the prolonged conflict.

The piece also underscores the stark differences in casualty figures between the two sides, with approximately 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers reported killed and around 200,000 Russians who are either confirmed dead or missing. These figures are leaked estimates and may not account for the full scale of losses, which have likely created a dire situation for both nations. Ukrainian General Oleksandr Syrskyi has raised concerns on the brink of the war's fourth anniversary, indicating the challenges that lie ahead for Ukrainian forces and the uncertain road toward any potential peace.

Overall, this article illustrates the grim realities of the ongoing war, where questions of territorial integrity and national sovereignty are overshadowed by rising death tolls and the destruction of communities. Moreover, the discussion of a 'right peace' emerges as a complex issue, one that appears increasingly elusive amidst the ongoing hostilities and the deepening divisions between the warring factions, suggesting that any resolution will require significant compromise and reconciliation, which currently seems out of reach.