In a significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Russia experienced its highest monthly losses since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Over 35,000 Russian soldiers were reported killed or wounded in Ukraine during March. Zelensky shared this information on April 3, emphasizing the scale of the losses through a social media post.

According to Zelensky, Ukrainian drone strikes alone were responsible for 33,988 Russian servicemembers being killed or seriously injured. Additionally, artillery and other military operations accounted for another 1,363 Russian casualties. The Ukrainian president underscored that these figures represent verified losses.

The announcement coincides with an intensification of Russian military efforts on Ukraine’s southeastern front, as spring brings more favorable conditions for combat. Zelensky assured that Ukraine possesses video evidence of each casualty among the reported Russian losses, stating that the country is prepared to share this data with its international partners.

In his address, Zelensky praised several Ukrainian military units for their effectiveness in drone warfare, highlighting the contributions of the Security Service of Ukraine’s Special Operations Center “A,” the “Madyar’s Birds” unit, the “Phoenix” border guard special unit, Lazar’s Group, and the 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade.

During a press briefing on April 3, Zelensky cited British intelligence, noting that the current battlefield conditions are the most advantageous for Ukraine in the past ten months. Ukraine’s counteroffensive, initiated in late January in the Oleksandrivka sector, has resulted in the recapture of over 450 square kilometers of territory, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Despite these gains, some activists have criticized the heavy casualties resulting from what they describe as reckless assaults. Military analyst Emil Kastehelmi expressed skepticism about further Ukrainian advances, suggesting that the momentum may have stalled.

In related developments, Russian forces suffered 1,540 casualties in a single day, and a bridge in Zaporizhzhia was closed following a strike. Additionally, Ukraine’s drone targeted the Volodarsk Linear Production and Dispatch Center. Meanwhile, France is preparing a new defense assistance package for Ukraine, as revealed by Zelensky after discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Pour en savoir plus kyivindependent.com