Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Sunday that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia's full-scale invasion two years ago, marking the first official figure released in over a year. Zelenskyy stated that he could not disclose the number of wounded as it could aid Russian President Vladimir Putin in military planning.
Since the end of 2022, when presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak reported that 13,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since the invasion on Feb. 24, Ukraine had not released any military loss figures. Zelenskyy also mentioned that 180,000 Russians had been killed in the fighting, although Russia does not disclose military losses.
The Ukrainian President expressed hope that the U.S. Congress would approve a significant new batch of military and financial assistance within a month. However, Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustan Umerov highlighted the delays in promised Western military aid, stating that each delayed shipment directly translates to Ukrainian troop losses and emphasizes Russia's superior military strength.
Commemorations of the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine brought pledges of continued support and fresh aid commitments from Western allies. However, Umerov stressed the importance of timely aid deliveries for Ukraine to stand a chance against Russia.
Recent setbacks, such as the loss of the strategic city of Avdiivka, have posed challenges for Ukraine on the battlefield. As military aid for Ukraine remains pending in the U.S. Congress, the country faces uncertainties in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Overall, the situation in Ukraine continues to be a complex and evolving one, with military losses, aid delays, and geopolitical dynamics shaping the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.