Russo-Ukrainian war, day 732: Zelenskyy breaks silence, reveals 31.000 Ukrainian troops killed

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Military

Zelenskyy: 31.000 Ukrainian troops killed vs 180.000 Russian losses in war. Previously, Kyiv had not officially disclosed the number of Ukrainian soldiers killed. Video shows Russians execute surrendering Ukrainian soldiers. Ukrainian ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets released a video showing Russian troops shooting at least 7 Ukrainians who were trying to surrender. Ukrainian military: Battle for Lastochkyne continues. Earlier, some Ukrainian analysts reported that Russian troops had taken the village. Russian missiles destroyed a railway station, a shop, and a church in Ukraine’s Kostiantynivka. According to preliminary information, Russian troops launched S-300 missiles in a land-to-land mode around 2 a.m. at night. Frontline report: Russian troops increase pressure west of Bakhmut. The Russian command increase pressure in the direction of Ivanivske village despite mounting losses. They are likely anticipating that taking it would collapse the Ukrainian southern flank. Russia is currently mobilizing new forces at the rate equivalent to losses — ISW. This allows Russia to reinforce attacking units and sustain its offensive campaign consistently. As of 25 Feb 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• • • Personnel: 409820 (+810)
    • Tanks: 6542 (+8)
    • APV: 12441 (+16)
    • Artillery systems: 9981 (+29)
    • MLRS: 999
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 684
    • Aircraft: 340
    • Helicopters: 325
    • UAV: 7681 (+22)
    • Cruise missiles : 1907 (+2)
    • Warships/boats: 25
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 13011 (+23)

Intelligence and technology

NYT: “12 secret spy bases” in Ukraine show depth of CIA support. The New York Times has revealed the CIA's covert support for Ukraine, secretly training and equipping intelligence officers over 8 years and constructing 12 bases along the Russian border. German Helsing GmbH to help Ukraine add AI to domestically-produced drones. Ukraine’s Ministry of Strategic Industries and a German defense company, Helsing GmbH, signed a memorandum of understanding on security and defense cooperation on 24 February. Ukraine to ramp up production of ground systems in 2024, says minister. The massive production of aerial and sea drones has already been organized. Kamyshin said the next goal is to make the same with the autonomous ground systems. Lithuanians raise over €8.2 million to send crucial equipment for Ukrainian troops. The money will pay for 1,115 Lithuanian-produced kits containing night vision, a laser sight, and an individual anti-drone system.

Political and legal developments

Zelenskyy: “We are playing into the Russian side with these facts”. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 25 February 2024 at a press conference during the “Ukraine. Year 2024” forum that he does not “understand the purpose of such a policy” of scattering Ukrainian agricultural products. Unprecedented: 160 tons of Ukrainian grain dumped in Poland. Kyiv reports the largest sabotage attack hampering Ukraine's agricultural exports in Poland since Russia's 2022 invasion. Zelenskyy: 31.000 Ukrainian troops killed vs 180.000 Russian losses in war. Previously, Kyiv had not officially disclosed the number of Ukrainian soldiers killed. UK’s Sunak calls for bolder seizure of frozen Russian assets, two years into war. The G7 countries have access to nearly $300 billion of Russian reserves frozen two years ago. However, they have not used them to pay for Ukraine's aid yet. G7 vows to uphold sanctions, crack down on third countries, keep Russian assets frozen. The EU moves against loopholes in sanctions enabling western defense technology to enter Russia

New developments

Russia at $ 150B war cost while 50% of Ukraine West aid late – Umerov. Western aid often arrives late, resulting in Ukraine losing personnel and territory, said the Ukrainian Defense Minister. Two years of Russia’s invasion: Euromaidan Press answers questions of our readers about war in Ukraine. While Ukraine plans to receive modern F-16s from its Western allies, the question lingers – will the modern fighter jets help the country in pushing back Russian forces from its borders? Read our earlier daily review here.