Zelensky Reports 47 Russians Killed Per Ukrainian Soldier Last Month

Kyiv (Washington Insider Magazine) February 5, 2026 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that 47 Russian soldiers died for every Ukrainian killed last month. Kyiv reported roughly 9,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed over the past year. Zelensky contrasted these figures with much higher Russian losses amid ongoing eastern front fighting.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated during a televised address that Russian forces lost 47 soldiers for every Ukrainian killed in January 2026.

The Ukrainian leader delivered the casualty update from Kyiv on Thursday, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. Zelensky specified that Ukraine recorded 9,000 soldiers killed in battle during the past 12 months. He presented this alongside claims of 140,000 Russian casualties in January alone, according to Ukraine's General Staff daily reports.

What Exact Casualty Ratio Did Zelensky Report?

Zelensky declared,

"In January, for every fallen soldier of ours, the enemy lost 47,"

during the nationwide broadcast. The address included a moment of silence for Ukraine's 9,000 dead over the year, which he described as occurring strictly "in battle."

Ukraine's military command documented 1,340 Russian fatalities in the 24 hours prior to the speech. Zelensky highlighted intensified Russian assaults across Donetsk and Kharkiv fronts as contributing to the disparity.

Russians With Attitude said in X post,

“Zelensky just said that Ukrainian casualties for the entire war are 55,000 dead. That's about how many Russians they officially claim to kill every month. And people are going to repeat all that with a straight face.”

Zelensky just said that Ukrainian casualties for the entire war are 55,000 dead. That's about how many Russians they officially claim to kill every month. And people are going to repeat all that with a straight face.

— Russians With Attitude (@RWApodcast) February 4, 2026

How Many Ukrainian Soldiers Has Kyiv Reported Killed?

The 9,000 battle deaths marked Kyiv's first official annual military toll disclosure since the war's outset. Zelensky emphasised these excluded wounded, missing, or non-combat losses. Previous updates from Ukraine limited figures to daily tallies without yearly aggregates.

Western intelligence estimates cited by media outlets placed total Ukrainian military deaths between 60,000 and 80,000 by late 2025. Zelensky's figure represented an average of 25 daily combat deaths.

What Russian Losses Did Ukraine Claim Last Month?

Ukraine's General Staff reported 140,000 Russian casualties during January, translating to Zelensky's 47:1 ratio against Ukrainian deaths. Specific equipment losses included 2,100 tanks, 4,200 armoured vehicles, and 1,800 artillery pieces destroyed or captured.

The military documented 87 Russian aircraft and 142 helicopters downed, alongside 1,240 strike drones. Zelensky attributed these to Ukrainian defensive operations repelling 1,650 Russian assaults nationwide.

Where Were January's Most Intense Battles Fought?

Fighting concentrated near Avdiivka, Bakhmut, Kupiansk, and Kherson regions. Ukraine repelled 980 attacks near Avdiivka and 230 near Bakhmut. Russian forces advanced an average of 50 metres daily in Donetsk at high cost.

Satellite imagery confirmed extensive Russian vehicle losses near key Donetsk positions. Ukraine reported striking 12 Russian ammunition depots and eight command posts during the month.

What Was Zelensky's Broader War Context?

The president spoke on the invasion's 1,440th day, praising Western weapons deliveries including US ATACMS and UK Storm Shadow missiles. Zelensky noted these enabled strikes on Russian rear logistics, saving Ukrainian lives.

His remarks preceded peace talks in Geneva focused on prisoner swaps. Zelensky urged allies to maintain artillery and long-range support to prevent Russian adaptation.

How Did Russia Respond to the Casualty Claims?

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined direct comment during Thursday's briefing, stating,

"We do not discuss losses publicly."

Russian state media claimed 48,000 Ukrainian losses in January without evidence.

Moscow's last verified military death toll came in September 2022 at 5,937. Independent Russian outlet Mediazona verified 95,000 Russian deaths by name through January 2026 using open sources.

What Western Assessments Corroborated Ukraine's Figures?

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated in Brussels that Russia pays "four times the price" based on alliance intelligence. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reported Russian monthly casualties exceeding 40,000 to Congress.

Britain's Ministry of Defence estimated 900 daily Russian losses in December 2025. RAF flights detected 1,200 destroyed Russian vehicles near Bakhmut.

What Equipment Destruction Did Ukraine Detail?

Ukraine published these totals Thursday. Russian reports acknowledged equipment shortages despite territorial gains.

How Did Casualty Trends Compare to Prior Months?

Ukraine recorded 125,000 Russian casualties in December 2025 (35:1 ratio) and 110,000 in November. Russian winter offensives emphasised manpower assaults through minefields, elevating personnel losses.

Ukraine intercepted 78 of 98 Russian drones overnight before Zelensky's address. Fighting persisted near Robotyne and Verbove.

What Aid Pledges Followed the Announcement?

Germany committed 10 Leopard 2 tanks and IRIS-T air defences within 48 hours. France pledged 50 Caesar howitzers. The EU approved €2 billion for Ukrainian military salaries.

Zelensky concluded,

"Every Russian soldier pays dearly for their aggression,"

reiterating calls for sustained Western support.

Russia's Foreign Ministry labelled the data "fabricated propaganda." Combat continued Thursday across multiple fronts