At least 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers and “tens of thousands of civilians” have been killed since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday.
He said he was providing the updated death toll in response to the far higher death toll quoted by Russia
“31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died in this war. Not 300,000 or 150,000, or whatever (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his lying circle are saying. But each of these losses is a great loss for us,” he said, declining to give the number of wounded since it would help Russian military planning. While contending that tens of thousands of civilians had died in the areas of Ukraine occupied by Russia, he said the exact figures were unknown. “I don’t know how many of them died, how many were killed, how many were murdered, tortured, how many were deported.”
As for Russia, he said at least 180,000 soldiers were killed and tens of thousands more injured.
Zelenskyy’s remarks follow several recent setbacks in the war with Russia, and his defence minister Rustam Umerov’s statement blaming the delay in Western aid for the loss of Ukrainian lives and territory. “We do everything possible and impossible but without timely supply it harms us,” said Umerov, adding: “”At the moment, (Western) commitment does not constitute delivery.”
A day earlier, Zelenskyy addressed a virtual meeting of the G7, (the group of 7 industrialised nations, comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with the The European Union a “non-enumerated member”.) to mark two years since Russia launched its Special Military Operation” in Ukraine. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said:
“I addressed the leaders of the G7, the world’s largest democracies. I thanked them for the past two years. The terrible day of February 24th, and all of the horror brought on by Russia, did not deprive Ukraine of a normal future. Everyone should remember that imperial ambitions and revanchism can only be defeated alongside those who are infected with them, and that such an outcome paves the way for true security and democratic progress. We now often hear that history is watching, and this is absolutely true. Leaders know very well what we need to protect our skies and strengthen our troops on the ground, as well as all of the support we need to continue succeeding at sea, and they realize that we need it all on time. We rely on them. Our leadership is sufficient to keep restoring security. When the world’s leading democracies are truly decisive, their resolve overcomes all challenges.”
I addressed the leaders of the G7, the world’s largest democracies.
I thanked them for the past two years. The terrible day of February 24th, and all of the horror brought on by Russia, did not deprive Ukraine of a normal future.
Everyone should remember that imperial… pic.twitter.com/MYS44sNIjl
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2024
“We the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) met today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine and salute once more the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people who have been fighting tirelessly for Ukraine’s freedom and democratic future,” said a White House Statement on behalf of the G7.
After contending that “President Putin has failed to achieve his strategic objective of subjugating Ukraine. Instead, he is forcing his own people to pay a heavy price for his government’s reckless actions each day. He has drained Russia’s resources to fund an unnecessary war, torn Russian families apart, and claimed hundreds of thousands of Russian lives,” the G 7 pledged to “continue to support Ukraine’s right to self-defence and reiterate our commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security, including by concluding and implementing bilateral security commitments and arrangements,” adding that “We are stepping up our security assistance to Ukraine and are increasing our production and delivery capabilities, to assist the country.”
“As Ukraine enters the third year of this relentless war, its government and its people can count on the G7’s support for as long as it takes,” it concluded.
However, The Biden administration’s $60bn aid package for Ukraine is still pending Congressional approval, while European leaders concede that most of the weapons and aid pledged to Ukraine will not reach before the end of 2024.
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