Russia, Ukraine report heavy war casualties

Moscow

As the war in Ukraine intensifies, Russia claimed on Tuesday that its forces killed approximately 1,400 Ukrainian soldiers in just 24 hours. The statement from the Russian Defence Ministry comes as officials from Moscow and Kyiv meet in Istanbul for peace negotiations.

According to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency, over 1,430 Ukrainian troops were killed in frontline battles. The claim follows the largest drone attacks exchanged by both nations since the war began in February 2022.

The Russian Defence Ministry provided a breakdown of Ukrainian losses: around 245 troops, two tanks, and one armored vehicle were lost in Battlegroup North; 205 troops, two tanks, and three armored vehicles in Battlegroup West; and 275 troops and five armored vehicles in Battlegroup South. Additionally, Ukraine reportedly lost 475 troops and five armored vehicles in Battlegroup Centre, 150 troops and two armored vehicles in Battlegroup East, and over 80 troops and four artillery guns in Battlegroup Dnepr.

In contrast, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on June 3 that Russia has suffered nearly one million troop losses since the war’s onset. The Ukrainian military claims that 1,100 Russian soldiers were killed in the past 24 hours alone, bringing the total to 990,800.

Ukraine also reported the destruction of 10,881 Russian tanks, over 22,000 armored vehicles, 38,748 drones, and one submarine, among other equipment. Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations are ongoing in Istanbul. In a positive step, both sides have agreed on a prisoner exchange and the return of remains of 6,000 fallen soldiers, amid continuing hostilities.