France estimates that 150,000 Russian soldiers were killed during Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne stated in an interview released on Friday.
Speaking to Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe, Sejourne stated that Paris put overall Russian casualties, including injured, at 500,000 in the war, which is now in its third year.
“Europe and its partners will stay unified and committed for as long as required. Russia’s military defeat is clearly clear. “We estimate Russian military losses at 500,000, with 150,000 deaths,” he stated.
“All of this for what?” he inquired. “This can be summed up in two words: for nothing,” he went on to say.
Russia has not released details on its casualties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in February that 180,000 Russian servicemen had been killed in the conflict.
Britain thinks that some 450,000 Russians have been killed or injured in Ukraine.
In April, the BBC reported that more than 50,000 Russian military troops had killed, citing its own correspondents, the independent media group Mediazona, and volunteers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a “special military operation” at dawn on February 24, 2022, which has since escalated into a horrific attrition war, isolating Russia from the West.
Some military specialists believe Russia is preparing to launch a massive new offensive in Ukraine.
Speaking of frozen Russian assets in the European Union, Sejourne reiterated that the monies may be used to assist Ukraine’s defense against the invasion but did not provide specifics.
“With the rise in rates, these assets earned about 4 billion euros in revenue in 2023. We want to use them to fund Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction operations.”
Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, exiled journalists from Russia’s main independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta established Novaya Gazeta Europe.