Ukraine: 370,000 injured. 43,000 dead

The fight for freedom continues

In a lengthy post published today, Ukrainian President Zelensky surprised everyone by revealing the massive toll Putin’s invasion has taken on Ukraine.

President Zelensky: “Updated data on Russian losses show over 750,000 casualties, including 198,000 killed and more than 550,000 wounded. Our people are defending their homes at the cost of their lives, and every life—of our soldiers and our civilians—is precious to us.

Since the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers killed in action on the battlefield. There have been 370,000 cases of medical assistance for the wounded. It also needs to be mentioned that in our army approximately half of the soldiers wounded in action are later returning to the battlefield, and that our data also includes light or repeat injuries”.

It should be noted that Zelensky made the announcement shortly after concluding his meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Zelensky also addressed the impact of Russia’s decision to escalate its attacks over the past two months. According to the President, “Since September this year, Russia has been losing troops on the battlefield at a ratio of 5-to-1, or even 6-to-1, compared to us. They want to seize more land before global pressure on them becomes unbearable.”

Over the last two months, Russian forces have advanced at a faster pace compared to their progress earlier this year. However, the pace of Russian losses has also significantly increased, exceeding a daily average of 1,500.

Russia recruits around 1,000 soldiers per day. They may have increased this slightly, but if they are losing troops at a 5-to-1 or 6-to-1 ratio, as President Zelensky states, the Russian offensive will eventually reach its limit. They will run out of steam. At that point, if Ukraine has enough combat power, supported by their relatively low casualty rates, they will be in a position to launch a successful counteroffensive.

Putin’s response to the Syrian crisis, in which he refused to send troops to counter the rebel forces and protect Assad, is clear evidence that he has no reserve strength. He couldn’t even deploy two brigades to Syria. Russia had spent billions establishing its presence in the Middle East and Africa, with Syria serving as the anchor for those efforts. If he couldn’t spare two brigades to assist Assad, it’s evident that he has no reserves to spare.

He is depleting these reserves.

The best strategy for Ukraine is to be patient and avoid letting their own casualty rates rise. Whenever the Russian forces lose their offensive momentum and attempt to catch their breath or pause, Ukraine should take the opportunity to counterattack. Putin is not fighting to win the war. He is trying to get into a position of negotiating strength. He sacrificed 53 Russian troops for every square kilometer gained in the last three months.

Putin is expending more resources than he can recruit. Unless North Korea sends 50,000 to 100,000 troops, Putin will push the Russian army to the breaking point very soon.

Ukraine needs to prepare for a counter-strike. Not there yet, but the opening will soon arrive.