Russian military losses have exceeded the number of new recruits joining the Russian army for three consecutive months, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky said on Friday, March 13.
Syrsky made the statement after meeting with his Swedish counterpart, General Mikael Claesson, who visited Ukraine to discuss military cooperation and support.
“The Kremlin has no intention of stopping offensive actions, although it is suffering significant losses on the battlefield, which for three months in a row have exceeded the number of reinforcements joining the Russian army,” Syrsky said in a post on Facebook.
The exact number of either Russian and Ukrainian casualties is unknown. However, a joint investigation by the BBC Russian Service and research group Mediazona put the number of verified Russian losses in Ukraine at 200,186 on Feb. 25.
Sweden, a key defense partner
Syrsky briefed the Swedish commander on the situation along the roughly 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) front line and Ukraine’s needs for weapons and military equipment.
He also thanked Sweden’s government, king and people for its continued military support – including Stockholm’s recently announced 21st military aid package to Ukraine, which is said to include advanced air defense systems, deep-strike capabilities, and ammunition.
Sweden also remains actively involved in several international coalitions supporting Ukraine’s defense sector, including initiatives focused on developing Ukraine’s air force, navy, drone systems, armored vehicles, demining operations and military information technology.
Syrsky said the cooperation between Ukraine and its NATO partners is contributing to the building of a new security architecture for Europe.
“Together we will win,” he said.