In a significant disclosure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday that approximately 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and around 370,000 wounded since the onset of Russia's invasion nearly three years ago. This marks the first announcement of military casualty figures in months, as the situation remains sensitive in Ukraine, especially given the recent losses suffered by Kyiv's forces against advancing Russian troops.
Zelensky Announces Ukrainian Military Casualty Figures Amidst Ongoing Conflict
Zelensky Announces Ukrainian Military Casualty Figures Amidst Ongoing Conflict
Ukrainian President Zelensky provides updated casualty figures, highlighting the heavy toll of war, while his numbers conflict with U.S. assessments.
Zelensky's count sharply contrasts with estimates from U.S. military officials and analysts, who assert that closer to 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers have perished since the conflict escalated. This information was shared publicly despite the challenges of independently verifying the casualty figures. Additionally, Ukrainian journalist Yuri Butusov recently indicated that approximately 35,000 soldiers remain unaccounted for.
Highlighting the ongoing human cost of this conflict, Zelensky noted that nearly half of the injured soldiers manage to return to duty, suggesting that Ukraine is grappling with a total loss of around 230,000 personnel, including those killed and those who are permanently disabled by their injuries.
Shortly after Zelensky's address, President-elect Donald J. Trump interjected with his own risen casualty figures, asserting that Ukraine's losses could total as much as 400,000 soldiers—a claim that notably lacks distinction between the dead and the wounded. He mentioned that Russian fatalities could be around 600,000 in this prolonged conflict, a statement that underlined his call for an urgent ceasefire and a push for diplomatic negotiations involving Russia and its ally, China.
In a social media post, Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to take action and begin dialogue, suggesting that now might be an opportune moment for peace negotiations, especially in light of the staggering human cost derived from this ongoing war.
Highlighting the ongoing human cost of this conflict, Zelensky noted that nearly half of the injured soldiers manage to return to duty, suggesting that Ukraine is grappling with a total loss of around 230,000 personnel, including those killed and those who are permanently disabled by their injuries.
Shortly after Zelensky's address, President-elect Donald J. Trump interjected with his own risen casualty figures, asserting that Ukraine's losses could total as much as 400,000 soldiers—a claim that notably lacks distinction between the dead and the wounded. He mentioned that Russian fatalities could be around 600,000 in this prolonged conflict, a statement that underlined his call for an urgent ceasefire and a push for diplomatic negotiations involving Russia and its ally, China.
In a social media post, Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to take action and begin dialogue, suggesting that now might be an opportune moment for peace negotiations, especially in light of the staggering human cost derived from this ongoing war.
