During the 'Ukraine. Year 2024' forum in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost their lives in the two years since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion. Zelenskyy emphasized that this number is significantly lower than the figures provided by Russian President Vladimir Putin's administration.
Zelenskyy expressed that while the exact count of wounded or missing troops would not be disclosed, the sacrifices made by each fallen soldier were immense for Ukraine. Additionally, he mentioned that tens of thousands of civilians had been killed in the occupied regions of Ukraine, with precise statistics to be determined post-war.
This disclosure marks the first instance where Kyiv has officially acknowledged the extent of its losses since the commencement of Russia's full-scale war on February 24, 2022. In contrast, Russia has been less transparent about its casualty figures, with the Defense Ministry reporting just over 6,000 deaths in January 2023, a number disputed by U.S. and U.K. officials.
An intelligence report declassified in December 2023 estimated that 315,000 Russian troops had been killed or wounded in Ukraine, representing a significant portion of Russia's pre-war military strength. Independent Russian news sources have reported around 75,000 Russian fatalities in the conflict between 2022 and 2023, with an ongoing investigation suggesting a daily loss rate of approximately 120 Russian soldiers.
The situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, with casualties mounting on both sides. For further updates on the conflict, follow the AP's comprehensive coverage at AP News.
