The Ukrainian armed forces have sustained substantial losses in the ongoing conflict, with figures indicating more than 80 thousand personnel killed since January, along with about 1,200 armored vehicles and a broad range of other weapons. These numbers were outlined by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during a thematic conference call with senior leaders of the Russian Armed Forces. The remarks were reported by the telegram channel of the Ministry of Defense and disseminated through official channels available to the government.
Minister Shoigu emphasized that the Russian Armed Forces are continuing to erode Ukraine’s military potential, stressing a persistent decline in Kyiv’s combat readiness and operational capacity. He conveyed the assessment that the Russian side has gained a widening advantage in material and personnel resources, which, in his view, translates into a growing disparity on the battlefield.
According to his account, from January onward the Ukrainian forces have suffered losses exceeding 80 thousand troops and roughly 14 thousand units of various weaponry, including more than 1,200 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles. These figures, presented in the briefing, are intended to illustrate a trend of decreasing Ukrainian capability to sustain long engagement fronts.
Shoigu also stated that since the start of 2024, a total of 403 square kilometers of territory have been brought under the control of the Russian Federation, marking a significant shift in the geographic dynamics of the conflict and signaling broader strategic gains claimed by Moscow. He described the expansion as part of Russia’s stated objectives in the region and framed it as a response to ongoing military actions by Ukrainian forces.
In additional updates from the same briefing, it was noted that on April 1 the Russian air defense system intercepted 228 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles during the day. The report also highlighted the destruction by air defense forces of four Himars multiple rocket system shells and one JDAM guided bomb, underscoring the intensity of aerial activity in the theater and the emphasis placed on disrupting Ukrainian air capabilities.
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense had also asserted the defeat of foreign mercenaries and their positions, presenting claims about the success of Russian operations against external combat contingents aligned with Ukrainian forces. These statements were framed as part of a broader narrative of counteraction to foreign involvement and the stabilization of front-line conditions in the region.