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Zelenskyy Says Russia Lost 249,000 Troops For 1,000 Square Kilometres In Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told the United Nations General Assembly on its second day that Russia suffered nearly 249,000 battlefield casualties in the first eight months of the year while capturing just over 1,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory.
Presenting the figures as evidence of the human cost of Russia’s continued offensive, Zelenskyy said the Russian army had recorded almost 249,000 casualties in just eight months, with Ukraine maintaining video records of the losses.
“From January through August, the Russian army lost 248,964 people on the battlefield in Ukraine in eight months. 248,000 killed and badly wounded.”
He said the figure represented more than a military statistic, stressing that Ukraine had video evidence of Russian battlefield losses.
“We have video confirmation for every one of these losses. And these are not just statistics, it’s about people. We have an archive of drone videos, videos showing thousands and thousands of Russians losing their lives in kill zones.”
Zelenskyy said Russia had paid a heavy human cost for its territorial gains. “After losing so many people, Russia managed to capture just over 1,000 square kilometres of our land this year, and we have already liberated a significant part of it.”
He contrasted those gains with Russia’s overall size. “Russia is a country that already has 17 million square kilometres of its own land without any Ukrainian territory, by the way.”
“So to add another 1,000 square kilometres, Putin is paying with 248 people for every kilometre.”
Zelenskyy also used the address to warn that Russia’s war was expanding through its military partnership with North Korea. “His comrade, the leader of North Korea, sent his troops to Russia to support the weak points of the Russian army. The North Koreans also suffered losses, heavy losses.”
He questioned why North Korean troops were being sent to fight in Ukraine. “Why should Koreans give their lives in a war against Ukraine? Kim Jong-un uses them like currency, and he gets something in return.”
Zelenskyy also warned that the cooperation was strengthening North Korea’s military capabilities.
“North Korean neighbours and countries across Asia have probably already noticed its improved ballistic missiles and Pyongyang’s much greater drone capabilities.”
Zelenskyy said the conflict had continued because Russia had not faced enough pressure to stop it. So a war that was not prevented in time, was not stopped in time, and for which Russia was not punished in time, keeps spreading and spreads evil with it.”
He called for continued pressure on Russia’s ability to finance its military campaign. “Our target is Russia’s ability to finance this war, to drag it out, to make it more brutal and more destructive.”
“Russia’s finances and Russia’s production are what must be stopped if Putin is to be stopped.”
Zelenskyy also warned that continued trade with Russia could prolong the conflict. When someone gives Russia more money through trade, they give this war more time.”
He added that Ukraine’s military campaign and international support were aimed at limiting Russia’s capacity to continue the war. “Russia’s revenues must remain a target.”
The Ukrainian president concluded by warning that Russia’s ambitions extended beyond the territory it currently occupies in Ukraine.
“But after that, he will once again make it clear to the world that even our Donetsk region is not enough for him. He wants more of our cities, Odessa and Kharkiv, Dnipro and others.”
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