“The present moment is the most difficult for Ukrainian unity”

chairman Volodymyr Zelensky He said this this Sunday 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed During these two years of Russian invasion. This is the first time that the Ukrainian side has reported a specific number of deaths among its own ranks during this war. Furthermore, Zelensky stated that “The present moment is the most difficult for Ukrainian unity.”

The Ukrainian President did not want to reveal the number of wounded Ukrainian soldiers so as not to allow Russia to learn the number of Ukrainians who went to the front, which would help Russian military planning.

The number, he explained, Does not include injured or missing soldiers, “That’s a lot of people for us,” Zelensky said, dismissing estimates that put the Ukrainian death toll as high as 300,000.

The Ukrainian president said, “31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in this war. Not 300,000, not 150,000… (Russian President Vladimir) Putin goes there… However, this is a huge loss for us.”

Ukraine has not provided any figures on its military losses since the end of 2022 as the president ally mikhailo podolyak said something 13,000 Ukrainian soldiers were killed After the attack of 24th February. Russia does not disclose military losses, which it considers secret.

Zelensky also offered several Russian soldiers killed in this war. “180,000 Russians killed”said the Ukrainian head of state. Another half a million Russian soldiers have been injured in the fighting, he said.

The Ukrainian president also said that “thousands of civilians” have been killed or murdered after torture in Russian-occupied territories. Zelensky said that the exact number would be known only after the war ends.

American weapons

Zelensky also acknowledged that his country needs to continue robtaining military supplies from WashingtonAnd said that there is no alternative to weapons produced in the United States.

When Zelensky was asked whether Ukraine would be able to resist US aid in the coming months, he said, “First of all, when we talk about US aid, we must understand that it is a drain on financial reserves. “Not a question. It’s about weapons.” Not unblocked.

The Ukrainian head of state admitted that if Congress does not approve the $60 billion aid package proposed by the White House for this year, Ukraine “will become vulnerable on the battlefield.” Zelensky said, “And here I can’t tell you what will happen. Here I have no reserves.”

The Ukrainian President has clarified that Ukraine can seek financing elsewhere, but that I can’t get enough weapons outside America To meet your needs on the front.

“For example, a (missile) system Patriot The cost is 1.5 billion (dollars), but Can’t be bought without America’s help“Zelensky explained. “There is no such system in the world. And the alternatives in the world are limited,” he said.

attack anniversary

This Saturday, the anniversary of the invasion, Zelensky was accompanied by the President of the European Commission in Kiev, Ursula von der LeyenPrime Minister of Belgium, alexander de crewIn whose country the temporary presidency of the Council of the European Union is held by Italy georgia melloniWho holds the presidency of the G7, and also the Canadian justin trudeauAs a symbol of transatlantic support.

“My trip to Kyiv is in this Second anniversary of the Russian invasion war, And I have come to respect the extraordinary resistance of the brave Ukrainian people. We have recently made important announcements about financial support for Ukraine, but it is also important to express our moral support,” von der Leyen told a group of Brussels correspondents, including this newspaper, who accompanied her.