Ukraine Reveals Official Casualty Figures: 31,000 Soldiers Killed in War with Russia

Published After Pleading for Help Amid Delays in Support from the West
Unable to Identify Civilian Casualties
Russian Soldiers’ Deaths Estimated at 180,000

Ukraine has officially disclosed that 31,000 of its soldiers have been killed in the two-year war with Russia for the first time. This number is lower than previous estimates from external sources.

According to the BBC, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a press conference in Kyiv on the 25th (local time), stating, “31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died during the war with Russia. Although it’s not the 300,000 or 150,000 deaths that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his forces claim, it’s a big loss.”

Until now, Ukraine and Russia have kept their number of casualties secret, as the enemy could utilize such information for military operations.

It is estimated that tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed, but the exact number has not been identified. Zelenskyy mentioned, “We do not know how many civilians have been killed, tortured, or displaced.”

The number of military casualties disclosed by Ukraine is significantly lower than estimates from elsewhere. Last year, the U.S. estimated that around 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers had died and around 120,000 had been injured.

Zelenskyy estimated that “180,000 Russian soldiers have been killed and tens of thousands injured.”

BBC Russian, in a joint project with the independent Russian media outlet Mediazona’s website, identified 45,000 deceased Russian soldiers. However, the total number of casualties is expected to be much higher.

Zelenskyy’s announcement came after Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov lamented the loss of lives and territory due to the delayed support from Western allies.

Umerov stated, “Due to the lack of supplies, Ukraine is in an increasingly disadvantaged position in the war,” and added, “We are doing everything possible, but if supplies do not arrive on time, we inevitably suffer great losses.”