Kyiv, Ukraine: In a solemn revelation at the “Ukraine. Year 2024” forum in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost their lives since Russia’s full-scale invasion began two years ago.
Zelenskyy’s announcement starkly contrasts with the figures provided by the Kremlin, which had significantly downplayed the toll of the conflict.
“31,000 Ukrainian military personnel have been killed in this war. Not 300,000, not 150,000, not whatever Putin and his deceitful circle have been lying about.
Nevertheless, each of these losses is a great sacrifice for us,” remarked President Zelenskyy, emphasizing the profound impact of each loss on the nation.
While Zelenskyy chose to disclose the number of military casualties, he refrained from revealing the count of wounded or missing soldiers, underscoring the ongoing toll and uncertainty prevailing in the conflict-ridden region.
Additionally, he acknowledged the loss of “tens of thousands of civilians” in occupied territories, emphasizing the challenges in ascertaining precise figures amidst the ongoing hostilities.
The confirmation marks the first time Kyiv has officially acknowledged the extent of its losses since the onset of Russia’s aggression on February 24, 2022.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has remained reticent regarding its own casualty figures, with the latest official data released in January 2023 indicating just over 6,000 deaths among Russian troops.
However, reports from US and UK officials suggest a substantially higher toll, with a US intelligence report from mid-December 2023 estimating that approximately 315,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded in Ukraine.
This figure, if accurate, would represent a staggering 87 percent of Russia’s pre-war troop count of around 360,000.
Independent Russian news outlets have also shed light on the grim reality of the conflict, with Mediazona reporting that approximately 75,000 Russian men lost their lives in 2022 and 2023 alone.
Collaborative investigations by Mediazona and Meduza further indicate that Russia’s losses in Ukraine show no signs of abating, with an estimated 120 men perishing daily on the battlefield.
The disclosure of Ukrainian casualties underscores the enduring toll of the conflict and the sacrifices made by both military personnel and civilians.
As the war enters its third year, the revelation serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost borne by the Ukrainian people in their struggle for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
International observers continue to monitor the situation closely, calling for renewed efforts towards a peaceful resolution to end the protracted conflict and alleviate the suffering of those caught in its crossfire.
However, amidst geopolitical tensions and escalating violence, the path to reconciliation remains fraught with challenges, leaving millions in Ukraine and beyond anxiously awaiting a glimmer of hope for lasting peace.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members