Nearly 1,500 Russians killed in last two days of war: Ukraine

Russian losses piled up more than usual over the past two days as the 2022 calendar year drew to a close. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said Sunday that the number of Russian soldiers killed the previous day was 760, well above typical daily averages of less than 600.

The Ministry of Defense recorded 710 Russians killed on Saturday, bringing the two-day total to 1,470 Russian casualties. Russia has now lost around 106,720 troops since the war began in late February 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his Sunday night address to the nation, said Russia was “scared” and he felt “scared”.

“They’re scared. You can feel it. And they’re right to be scared. Because they’re losing. The drones, the missiles, nothing else will help them. Because we’re together. And they’re only together out of fear,” Zelensky said. .

Zelensky added that Ukraine shot down 45 Shahed drones on the first day of the new year, and he called the Russians “pathetic”.

“The Russian terrorists were pathetic, and they came into this year remaining the same. Our defenders were great, and on January 1 they showed up really well,” Zelensky said.

Ukrainian defense officials also said on Sunday heavy equipment losses by Russia during the 312th day of the war, including nine armored fighting vehicles and 13 automotive and tank equipment.

Just a week ago, Zelensky said that Russia had lost a lot in this war, but that Russian President Vladimir Putin would continue to push forward.

“Russia has lost everything this year,” Zelensky said on Boxing Day. “But [Putin] attempts to compensate for its losses through the trickery of its propagandists following the missile strikes on our country, on our energy sector.

“There are a few days left this year. We must be aware that our enemy will try to make this time dark and difficult for us,” Zelensky said. “I know the darkness won’t stop us from leading the occupiers to their new defeats, but we must be prepared for any scenario.”

Her Christmas message was a little more disappointing, saying in particular that there was a loss of hope.

“Our homes and streets can’t be so bright. And Christmas bells can ring less loudly and inspiringly. By air raid sirens, or even worse – gunshots and explosions,” Zelensky said. . “And all of this together can be a greater threat. It is a disappointment. Higher forces and their power, goodness and justice in the world. Loss of hope. Loss of love. Loss of me -even …”

Newsweek contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment.