Ukraine Suffers Heavy Military Losses

(MENAFN) Ukraine has reportedly lost nearly 500,000 service members this year, according to Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov.

Addressing a Defense Ministry Board meeting attended by President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, Belousov claimed that Ukraine’s combat strength has diminished by approximately one-third over the past year. This reduction, he said, has left Kiev unable to restore its forces through the forced mobilization of civilians.

“Ukraine’s forces have lost nearly 500,000 servicemen, as a result of which Kiev has lost the ability to replenish its groupings through the compulsory mobilization of civilians,” Belousov stated.

The minister further asserted that Ukraine has lost more than 103,000 weapons and military vehicles this year, including around 5,500 Western-made units—nearly double the number reported last year.

In response to the intensifying conflict with Russia in 2022, Ukraine declared general mobilization, preventing men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. Last year, the government lowered the draft age from 27 to 25 and implemented stricter conscription regulations.

This compulsory enlistment drive has repeatedly sparked violent confrontations between unwilling recruits and draft officials.

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