Zelensky Reveals Casualty Figures Amid Renewed Calls for
Peace in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has disclosed that
approximately 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died since Russia's full-scale
invasion began in 2022. In a social media post, he also noted 370,000 injuries,
though some cases involve soldiers hurt multiple times or with minor injuries.
Zelensky claimed that Russia has suffered significantly
more, with 198,000 soldiers killed and 550,000 wounded. These figures align
with Western intelligence estimates that suggest Russian casualties have
reached around 800,000, including those killed and injured.
This admission marks a notable rise from the 31,000
Ukrainian deaths Zelensky reported in February. The update follows comments by
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who suggested that Ukraine has lost 400,000
soldiers, a figure Zelensky has disputed. Trump has repeatedly expressed his
desire to end the war, describing the human toll as "needlessly
wasted."
The war continues to intensify, with Russia making
incremental gains in eastern Ukraine and the Kursk region while Ukraine holds
onto limited territory in Russian areas. The UK Defence Ministry reported that
Russia experienced its highest monthly casualty figures in November, with
45,680 losses, including over 2,000 in a single day.
Zelensky emphasized that any peace deal must include robust
international security guarantees for Ukraine, expressing these views during
talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and Trump. While Trump advocates
for an immediate ceasefire, Moscow’s demands for ending hostilities—such as
Ukraine relinquishing more territory and abandoning its NATO aspirations—remain
unacceptable to Kyiv.
As the conflict persists, the human cost continues to mount,
underlining the urgent need for a sustainable resolution.
