Ukraine says more than 4,500 Russian soldiers have been killed

Soldier on the right in the photo — Russia has not confirmed the number but acknowledged that “there are heroes” who died or were injured in the conflict. (Photo: Sergei Sobinsky/AFP)

Kyiv, on Monday (28/2), updated the number of dead Russian soldiers (dead and wounded) to more than 4,500 since the beginning of the offensive ordered by Vladimir Putin, on Thursday (24/2). On the other hand, Moscow did not confirm the number of casualties, but yesterday admitted, for the first time, that “there are heroes” who died or were injured in the conflict.

The fifth day of the Russian offensive is marked by the anticipation of a possible ceasefire with the first meeting between the two countries, which will take place on the border with Belarus. According to a statement published by the Ukrainian presidency, Ukraine should demand an “immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces” in the negotiations.

“The next 24 hours will be critical for Ukraine,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday. The President will not be present at the meeting today. The delegation includes, among others, Defense Minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, Adviser to the Chief of Staff of the President of Ukraine, Mikhailo Podolyak, and Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Mykola Tuchitsky.

Also, according to the Ukrainian authorities, Russian forces are “slowing the pace of the offensive”. Since the early hours of Sunday morning, some attacks have been recorded on the outskirts of the capital, Kyiv. Kharkiv, the second largest city in the country. He also suffers from severe attacks. The Russians, for their part, demand that the government and the people recognize their “air superiority” in Ukraine.