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“800,000 Bodies and Two Years”: Zelenskyy on Russia’s Chances in East of Ukraine
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia would require at least two years to seize the East of Ukraine and would have to sacrifice 800,000 soldiers to achieve this.
In an interview with the French channel France 2 on February 4, the president explained that Russia’s goal is for Ukraine to leave Donbas, even though the Russian military has failed to achieve any victories since the invasion began.
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Zelenskyy also highlighted that Ukrainians fully understand the immense cost to Russia for every meter and kilometer of land. He pointed out that while Russia does not count its fallen soldiers, Ukraine has no choice but to do so.
“Taking control of eastern Ukraine would require over 800,000 bodies. Just bodies. And they will need at least two years of very slow progress. I don’t think they’ll last that long,” Zelenskyy remarked in the interview.
The president also discussed the idea of a “frozen” conflict, stating that while he has never supported such a scenario, even maintaining the current front lines would be a major concession from Ukraine.
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Zelenskyy criticized the approach that treats negotiations as a “menu of options.”
“Concessions must be mutual,” he emphasized.
He further noted that both Russia and Ukraine need a break in the war, meaning any discussions about the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces must be met with similar actions from the Russian forces.
Regarding the idea of a demilitarized zone, Zelenskyy stated that each side should control its own territory, with an international mission tasked with maintaining security and ensuring separation between the two sides.
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Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost their lives since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
“In Ukraine, officially, the number of military personnel killed on the battlefield, whether career soldiers or mobilized individuals, stands at 55,000 dead,” Zelenskyy said, adding that there is also “a large number of people whom Ukraine considers missing.”
Earlier, Ukraine's General Staff reported that, as of on February 5, Russian forces experienced significant losses with at least 770 soldiers either killed or injured.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, the total number of Russian casualties has now reached approximately 1,243,840 personnel.
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