Zelensky: "Farmers Also Captured Daily as Russian Prisoners... 9,000 Killed"

Russia "498 Dead, 1597 Injured"

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Yeeun] Amid the veil of secrecy surrounding the number of Russian military casualties in the invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that 9,000 Russian soldiers have been killed.

On the 2nd (local time), President Zelensky said, "About 9,000 Russians lost their lives on the battlefield during the first week of the war," adding, "Wherever they go in Ukraine, they will be thoroughly destroyed."

He continued, "(The Russian) invaders will get a response from the (resolutely resisting) Ukrainians," and added, "Ukrainians are fighting a patriotic war."

President Zelensky expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian military and citizens who are blocking the Russian forces' advance despite harsh conditions. He said, "Our army, even ordinary farmers, capture Russian soldiers as prisoners every day," and emphasized, "I sincerely respect the Ukrainians who drove out the invaders with bare hands. We will disgracefully drive out the Russian invaders from this land until the end."

He then urged the Russian military to immediately withdraw, recognizing Ukraine's will to resist. He said, "All invaders must know that they will retreat when faced with the fierce resistance of Ukrainians," adding, "This fact must be remembered by Russians forever."

Meanwhile, the number of Russian military casualties presented by President Zelensky is 18 times the figure announced by Russia the previous day. According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Igor Konashenkov, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defense, stated at a press briefing on the 2nd, "There are losses among our soldiers participating in the Ukrainian military operation," adding, "498 have died during the mission, and 1,597 have been wounded."

This is the first time Russia has specifically announced losses of its troops participating in the Ukrainian military operation.

However, President Zelensky claimed, "The massive loss information of the Russian military spread by Western media and some Russian media is intentional misinformation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.