Ukraine Reports 31,000 Soldiers Killed Since the Start of the War

During the “Ukraine, Year 2024” press conference, President Volodymyr Zelensky answered questions from journalists from around the world. One of the most notable figures mentioned was the number of Ukrainian casualties since the start of the Russian invasion, which he estimated at 31,000. However, he declined to provide details on the number of wounded, arguing that revealing such information would allow Russia to know “how many people have left the battlefield.”

Zelensky also noted that Russian pressure remains “quite strong” in some areas, and Ukraine has seen its artillery advantage decrease.

The total number of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers killed remains uncertain, as both countries have refrained from accurately reporting their casualties.

The figure provided by Zelensky this Saturday differs significantly from Russian estimates, which, as of December 19, 2023, suggested that 383,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed or wounded, without breaking down the numbers. Meanwhile, the U.S. estimated that by August 2023, around 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed, with between 100,000 and 120,000 wounded.

When asked, “What would it mean if Ukraine lost the war?” Zelensky responded, “Ukraine would cease to exist.” Regarding the possibility of receiving a call from Vladimir Putin, Zelensky stated that the Russian president has no interest in ending the war, emphasizing that “his priority is money, and that is his weak point.” Zelensky suggested that if the funds confiscated from Russia were handed over to Ukraine, it would deal a significant blow to Moscow.

Zelensky also highlighted the importance of continuing the “diplomatic initiative,” referring to a peace summit to be held in Switzerland during the spring, aimed at formalizing a peace plan with Ukraine’s partners to present to Russia, which would involve indirect negotiations. He also expressed his intention to hold a second summit, this time outside of Europe.

Another key topic of the conversation was U.S. support for the war, particularly Donald Trump’s statements against sending funds to Ukraine. Despite this, Zelensky remained “optimistic” about the continued supply of weapons and added:

“We count on the United States to remain the leader of democracy in the world.”

Zelensky also pointed out the defense vulnerabilities Ukraine would face without crucial U.S. support. However, he emphasized that they are receiving weapons from other nations and mentioned that G7 countries could provide additional assistance, though he acknowledged: “We don’t know if it will be enough.”