News Feed, Russia, Russian armed forces, Vladimir Putin, War, Ukraine

Putin claims Russia has almost 700,000 soldiers fighting in Ukraine

by Elsa Court and The Kyiv Independent news desk June 14, 2024 10:33 PM 1 min read

Vladimir Putin at the 4th Congress of Russian Railway Workers, on Dec. 15, 2023 in Moscow, Russia. (Contributor/Getty Images)

This audio is created with AI assistance

Almost 700,000 Russian troops are fighting in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 14 while speaking at a public event with Russian military personnel.

Putin claimed in December 2023 that there were 617,000 military personnel fighting in Ukraine.

Andrii Yusov, the spokesperson of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, responded on Dec. 15 that the true number was around 450,000 and that Russia is exaggerating the figures to "increase information pressure on our country."

Reuters reported in December, citing a declassified U.S. intelligence report, that Russia had lost 315,000 troops in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, representing nearly 90% of the military personnel it had in February 2022.

According to Ukrainian figures, over 500,000 Russian troops have now been killed, injured, or captured fighting in Ukraine.

Authors: Elsa Court, The Kyiv Independent news desk

News Feed

12:25 PM

Moldova detains regional leader accused of taking money from Russia.

Evghenia Gutul, the head of Moldova's Gagauzia region, is implicated in the illegal financing case of the banned pro-Russian Shor Party.

12:13 PM

Russian state TV journalist killed by mine near Ukraine's border.

"Channel One military correspondent Anna Prokofyeva died while performing her professional duties," the statement said.

11:26 AM

Russia has struck Ukraine's energy sites 8 times since March 18, Zelensky's advisor says.

Ukraine has recorded eight confirmed hits against its energy facilities by Russian forces since March 18, when the Kremlin claimed to have ordered a pause on such attacks, presidential advisor Dmytro Lytvyn said on March 25.

11:06 AM

'There is talk of Nord Stream' — Lavrov eyes Russia-US energy cooperation.

"There is talk about Nord Stream. It will probably be interesting if the Americans use their influence on Europe and force it not to give up Russian gas," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

10:27 AM

Armenia's parliament passes bill on EU accession.

The Armenian parliament passed a bill "On starting the process of accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union" in its second and final reading on March 26, the News.am news agency reported.

10:21 AM

4 killed, 6 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day.

Ukraine's air defenses intercepted 56 of the 117 Russian drones launched overnight, including Shahed-type attack drones.

9:27 AM

US judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from shutting down RFE/RL.

Judge Royce Lamberth issued a temporary restraining order, ruling that the administration's attempt to defund the organization was "unsupported by any facts or reasoning" and likely violated federal law.

9:20 AM

Trump's envoy draws criticism after saying nuclear arms in Ukraine were 'Russia's.'

U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Richard Grenell said on March 25 that the Soviet-era nuclear arsenal stationed in Ukraine after the Soviet Union collapsed belonged to Russia, calling it an "uncomfortable fact."

8:48 AM

Ukraine will resist 'with their bare hands' if forced into unjust peace, CIA chief says.

"I want to say that with regard to the Ukrainian resistance, the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian military have been underestimated for a period of several years now," CIA Director John Ratcliffe said.

8:32 AM

Russia may be 'dragging their feet' on Ukraine peace deal, Trump says.

Asked by a reporter whether he believes Russia "wants to see an end" to the full-scale war, U.S. President Donald Trump said, "I don't know. I mean, I'll let you know at a certain point. But I think that Russia wants to see an end to it, but it could be they're dragging their feet."

8:12 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 907,220 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,280 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

6:38 AM

Ukraine, Russia may prolong war instead of finalizing bad peace deal, US intelligence assessment finds.

Ukraine and Russia may see a greater incentive to prolong war instead of settling for an unfavourable peace deal, an unclassified U.S. intelligence assessment published March 25 found.

5:03 AM

Zelensky accuses Russia of manipulating conditions for Black Sea ceasefire.

"We see how the Russians have already started to manipulate. They are already trying to distort the agreements and actually deceive our mediators and the whole world," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 25.

3:58 AM

US considering lifting some sanctions to secure Black Sea ceasefire, Trump says.

The United States is "looking at" lifting additional sanctions on Russia in order to secure a Black Sea ceasefire agreement, U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 25.

1:50 AM

Russia rejects calls to return Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on March 25 that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is a Russian facility and cannot be transferred to Ukraine or any other country.

12:19 AM

Ukraine to dissolve gambling regulator, create new agency to oversee industry.

A new state agency, PlayCity, will aim to digitize gambling business licensing and strengthen oversight of the industry.

11:23 PM

Business

‘Not what Ukraine needs’ — Black Sea ceasefire favors Russia more than Ukraine, say experts

11:06 PM

US proposed new version of minerals deal to Ukraine, Zelensky says.

"After the framework deal, a full agreement is being developed. Now the U.S. has offered us a 'major' deal, their vision (of the deal)," Zelensky said.

10:49 PM

War analysis

Russia’s sham ‘referendums’ at gunpoint are null and void, despite Steve Witkoff’s comments

10:27 PM

Russia ramps up attacks near Pokrovsk, Ukrainian military says.

"Recently, they (Russian soldiers) have become more active. We have successfully repelled the assaults, we are holding the line, but the enemy is trying to break through our defense line and reach our positions and gain a foothold in some positions daily," said Mykola Koval, the spokesperson of Ukraine's National Guard's Chervona Kalyna brigade.

10:23 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Black Sea ceasefire will take effect after some sanctions are lifted, Kremlin claims.

10:12 PM

Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 19

9:50 PM

Kremlin names energy facilities exempt from strikes during partial ceasefire.

According to the Kremlin, the list includes oil refineries, as well as oil and gas pipelines and storage facilities, including pumping stations.

9:50 PM

When ho(us)e becomes ho(me) (PHOTOS)

8:29 PM

Partial ceasefire in Ukraine should start on March 25, Zelensky says.

"We believe that, after Washington makes two official statements... the ceasefire in the sea and the energy ceasefire must come into effect, in (the Americans') opinion," Zelensky said. "Undoubtedly this depends on orders given by the presidents to their military forces."

MORE NEWS