Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers killed in action and 370,000 wounded since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The rare disclosure of casualty figures underscores the scale of devastation wrought by nearly three years of relentless conflict.
Zelenskyy's statement, shared via Telegram, comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that Ukrainian military losses had reached "400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians." The Ukrainian leader refuted those figures, emphasizing the resilience of the Armed Forces and the effectiveness of the country's medical teams.
"Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers who died on the battlefield," Zelenskyy wrote. "And this is taking into account that in our army, approximately 50 percent of the wounded return to service, and all injuries are recorded, including minor and repeated ones."
The revelation marks an increase from the 31,000 deaths Zelenskyy reported in February 2023, when he declined to provide figures for the wounded to avoid giving strategic advantages to Russia. Since then, Kyiv has routinely dismissed external casualty estimates as exaggerated.
Zelenskyy also highlighted the toll on Russian forces, asserting that Moscow's total losses exceed 750,000, including 198,000 killed and more than 550,000 wounded. He claimed that since September, Russia has been losing five or six soldiers for every Ukrainian soldier killed in battle, demonstrating a shift in battlefield dynamics.
The war has exacted a severe civilian toll as well. According to United Nations data from August, 11,743 civilians have been killed, and 24,614 have been injured. However, the actual numbers are likely higher due to limited access to Russian-occupied territories and active front-line areas.
Zelenskyy's remarks also reiterated his calls for a durable peace agreement that guarantees Ukraine's security against future Russian aggression. "A cease-fire without guarantees can be reignited at any moment, as Putin has already done so," Zelenskyy said. "To guarantee that there will be no more Ukrainian casualties, we must guarantee the reliability of peace and not turn a blind eye to the occupation."
The disclosure of casualties comes amidst ongoing debates over the true scale of Ukraine's losses. In recent months, Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials have actively refuted claims of higher casualty numbers. In December, Zelenskyy rejected media reports suggesting 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers had died in the war, calling them exaggerated. Similarly, Roman Kostenko, secretary of the parliamentary defense committee, dismissed similar figures in September.
Trump's statement about Ukraine's losses follows his broader commentary on the conflict. In his social media post, Trump described Ukraine's losses as "ridiculous" and suggested that Russia and Ukraine should engage in immediate ceasefire negotiations. "There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. ... I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!" Trump wrote. He also noted the impact of other global conflicts, referencing the toll on Russia due to its war in Ukraine and on Iran due to regional tensions with Israel.
Zelenskyy's decision to publicly share casualty figures reflects a shift in Kyiv's approach to managing public and international perceptions of the war. The Ukrainian president emphasized the importance of transparency in rallying continued support from allies and countering misinformation. "This is a testament to the resilience of our Armed Forces," Zelenskyy said, praising the efforts of Ukraine's medical personnel.
