**US President Trump’s Claim of 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian Soldiers Killed Each Week Debunked**
In the aftermath of a deadly attack on Kyiv that killed 13 civilians, US President Donald Trump took to social media to call out Russia’s Vladimir Putin. However, his claim that 5,000 soldiers from both countries are dying each week has been met with skepticism by experts.
While Trump has repeated this figure in the past without evidence, a closer look at the numbers reveals a different story. Both Ukraine and Russia closely guard their military casualties as state secrets, leaving a void of information that others have tried to fill.
**The Majority of Troop Deaths Have Been on the Russian Side**
Experts agree that Russia is losing far more troops than Ukraine in the ongoing war. Using open sources, BBC Russia and Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, have collected the names of over 100,000 Russian soldiers killed since February 2022.
When adjusting for soldiers whose names may not appear publicly, BBC Russia estimates that the true death toll could range from 158,885 to 229,500 Russian soldiers. Ukraine’s Armed Forces General Staff publishes daily estimates of Russian troop losses but does not separate deaths from those who are wounded. The combined casualties total 951,960 as of April 30.
**Losses Fluctuate, But the Average Death Toll is Far Lower Than Trump Cites**
Across more than three years of war, the average number of soldiers killed weekly comes out to far below what Trump cites, at less than 2,000 each week. While losses have risen compared to the start of the full-scale invasion, and daily and weekly tolls fluctuate depending on battlefield conditions.
Multiple sources, including Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, say around half of the Russian troop losses occurred in 2024 as Russia stepped up its infantry assaults. Even when factoring in higher losses of late, the average combined death toll for Ukraine and Russia each week falls short of Trump’s comments.
**The Truth Behind Trump’s Claim**
It appears that Trump’s claim of 5,000 soldiers killed each week is not supported by the numbers. While both countries have suffered significant losses, the actual toll is far lower than what the US President has stated. As the war continues to drag on, it’s essential to separate fact from fiction and rely on credible sources for information.
Sources:
* BBC Russia
* Mediazona
* Ukraine’s Armed Forces General Staff
* Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi
**Get the Facts Straight**
The next time you hear Trump claim that 5,000 soldiers are dying each week, remember that this figure is not supported by evidence. Stay informed and rely on credible sources for accurate information.
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