Zelensky States 50,000 Ukrainian Soldiers Killed in Ukraine War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine has suffered around 50,000 soldiers killed and 400,000 wounded in the Ukraine war, while estimating Russian losses at 1.6 million total casualties including 700,000 killed.
Casualty Estimates from Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed new estimates of military casualties on both sides of Russia’s full-scale war, saying that around 50,000 Ukrainian service members had been killed and approximately 400,000 wounded. [4] Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Zelensky added that many Ukrainian troops remained missing in action. [5] "It's difficult to say. I don't want to be very open about it because Russia will understand what's going on with our army," Zelensky said. [4] Zelensky also estimated that Russian forces had suffered around 1.6 million military casualties since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, including approximately 700,000 killed. [5] The latest Ukrainian death toll cited by Zelensky is lower than the figure he gave five months earlier. [4] In February, he said that at least 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been officially confirmed killed on the battlefield. [5] The true scale of military losses is difficult to determine because neither Ukraine nor Russia discloses complete figures. [4] According to the latest study by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Russia suffered an estimated 1.4 million battlefield casualties between February 2022 and June 2026, including up to 450,000 troops killed. [5] In addition, Russia’s monthly losses in 2026 significantly exceeded the number of new troops it recruited. [4] The study also estimated Ukraine's losses at between 525,000 and 625,000 casualties, including between 125,000 and 150,000 troops killed. [5] Combined military casualties on both sides exceeded 2 million, according to CSIS. [4]
Russian Strikes on Ukraine
Russian Ministry of Defense reported mass strikes on Ukrainian military airfields, logistical and telecommunications centers in Kyiv, Lviv and other regions, plus a drone storage facility in Kharkiv Oblast. [1] Russia continued strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure in Odesa, destroying fuel storage tanks for the Ukrainian military and a cargo ship carrying military supplies. [1] A Russian missile briefly violated Polish airspace, prompting Poland and NATO to scramble fighter jets and put air defenses on alert. [1] A Ukrainian pilot tracked the missile but turned back 20 seconds before the border. [1] Zamenik ministra odbrane Poljske Cezari Tomčik izjavio je da je ukrajinski pilot do poslednjeg trenutka pratio rusku raketu "H-101", koja je pala na poljsku teritoriju juče, ali nije imao vremena da je obori i bio je primoran da se okrene 20 sekundi pre granice. [1] Zamenik ministra je objasnio da ukrajinski avion nije mogao da uđe u poljski vazdušni prostor. [1] Prema Tomčiku, Rusi obično napadaju sa 10-20 raketa, a juče je ukupno bilo oko 70 raketa, od kojih je u tri ujutru 20 raketa letelo u pravcu Poljske. [1] Russian air defenses claimed to have downed 371 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple Russian regions, the Sea of Azov and Black Sea. [1]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discusses military casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Ukrainian Counterstrikes
Ukrainian forces struck an aircraft factory in occupied Yevpatoria in Crimea and the grain export terminal in Russia's Taman port, causing a large fire. [1] Služba bezbednosti Ukrajine, zajedno sa Odbrambenim snagama Ukrajine, izvršila je još jedan uspešan napad na rusku vojnu, logističku i naftnu infrastrukturu. [1] U privremeno okupiranom Jevpatoriji pogođena su dva hangara za skladištenje avijacijske opreme i proizvodna radionica Jevpatorijskog avijacijskog zavoda. [1] Pogođena je i infrastruktura luke Taman, gde je zabeležen požar velikih razmera. [1] Ukrainian forces strike oil refinery in Russia's Volgograd Oblast, aircraft factory in occupied Crimea, military confirms. [4] Požar je izbio u logističkom objektu kompanije "Vajldberis" u Volgogradu, saopštila je pres-služba te kompanije. [1] Volgogradska oblast bila je meta masovnog napada dronovima, rekao je guverner te oblasti Andrej Bočarov. [1] On je rekao da je pet osoba povređeno i prebačeno u bolnicu, kao i da su oštećene dve kuće, dok je u jednom industrijskom objektu u sektoru goriva i energetike izbio požar. [1]
Daily Russian Loss Reports
Ukrainian General Staff reported Russian losses over the past day as 1,470 soldiers along with 82 artillery systems, bringing total estimated Russian personnel losses to approximately 1,447,620 since February 2022. [2] Russia has lost 1,470 soldiers killed and wounded and 82 artillery systems over the past day. [2] The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 1 August 2026 are estimated to be as follows: approximately 1,447,620 (+1,470) military personnel, 12,231 (+0) tanks, 25,060 (+4) armoured combat vehicles, 47,127 (+82) artillery systems, 1,980 (+4) multiple-launch rocket systems, 1,527 (+2) air defence systems, 439 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft, 354 (+0) helicopters, 2,097 (+16) ground robotic systems, 437,503 (+1,838) operational-tactical UAVs, 5,005 (+0) cruise missiles, 34 (+0) ships/boats, 2 (+0) submarines, 128,497 (+463) vehicles and fuel tankers, 4,484 (+1) special vehicles and other equipment. [2] The information is being confirmed. [2]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discusses military casualties in Russia's war against Ukraine. — Source: kyivindependent
Internal Ukrainian Developments
Imenovanje Mihaila Drapatija za vrhovnog komandanta ukrajinske vojske postalo je kompromis između Vladimira Zelenskog i zapadnih liberalnih krugova, rekao je u intervjuu za TASS ambasador ruskog Ministarstva spoljnih poslova Rodion Mirošnik. [1] „Drapatijevo imenovanje je bio kompromis. Zelenski je, naravno, želeo da zadrži Aleksandra Sirskog, ali nakon što se politički, javni i međunarodni pritisak iz tih istih liberalnih krugova pojačao, morao je da napravi ustupke. Pristao je da imenuje ovu osobu, koja nije posebno kompetentna niti inteligentna, ali pripada grupi koju predstavlja [bivši ministar odbrane] Mihail Fjodorov. Na kraju, trebalo je da ga unapredi i postavi za vrhovnog komandanta“, rekao je diplomata. [1] Newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi ordered assault regiments of Ukraine's Ground Forces to temporarily suspend recruitment on July 26, Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda reported on July 31, citing sources in four units. [4] The reported order comes amid a series of media investigations into alleged mistreatment of soldiers and non-combat deaths in the 425th and 225th assault regiments. [4] Khartiia brigade commander Obolienskyi targeted in assassination attempt, Zelensky says. [4] Khartiia Brigade Commander Ihor Obolienskyi survived an assassination attempt, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 31 following a briefing by acting Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) chief Oleksandr Poklad. [4] 5 special forces soldiers missing, 3 injured after ammunition detonation at training ground in Western Ukraine. [4] Three Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) service members were injured and there is "no contact" with five others following an ammunition detonation at a military training ground in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, western Ukraine, the Special Operations Forces reported on July 31. [4]
Diplomatic Rhetoric
Pored sukoba na frontu, nastavljena je i oštra retorika. [1] Moskva je poručila da će nastaviti vojne operacije do ostvarenja svojih ciljeva, dok je Kijev ponovo zatražio dodatnu zapadnu vojnu pomoć i jačanje protivvazdušne odbrane. [1] Portparolka Ministarstva spoljnih poslova Rusije Marija Zaharova optužila je predsednika Ukrajine Volodimira Zelenskog da je "potpuno nesposoban za pregovore" i da pokušava da uključi što više zemalja u sukob. [1] On the question of whether Ukraine would win now, Zelensky responded: "U stvarnoj situaciji na bojnom polju, važno je da inicijativa nije u rukama Rusije. Mi nećemo izgubiti, a oni neće pobediti." [1]
What to watch next: Russian Ministry of Defense reported mass strikes on Ukrainian military airfields while Ukrainian forces struck targets in occupied Crimea and Russia’s Taman port, with further Ukrainian General Staff updates on daily Russian losses expected alongside any new statements from President Zelensky on battlefield initiative.
