WASHINGTON — President Trump claimed Friday that “almost 20,000” Russian soldiers died just in the month of July while pursuing Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, expressing frustration that no end appears in sight to the 41-month-old war.
“I have just been informed that almost 20,000 Russian soldiers died this month in the ridiculous War with Ukraine. Russia has lost 112,500 soldiers since the beginning of the year. That is a lot of unnecessary DEATH!” Trump, 79, blasted out on Truth Social.
“Ukraine, however, has also suffered greatly. They have lost approximately 8,000 soldiers since January 1, 2025, and that number does not include their missing. Ukraine has also lost civilians, but in smaller numbers, as Russian rockets crash into Kyiv, and other Ukrainian locales,” the president added.
“This is a War that should have never happened — This is Biden’s War, not ‘TRUMP’s.’ I’m just here to see if I can stop it!”
Casualty figures in the ongoing conflict are closely guarded by both sides, which have incentive to report lower numbers to keep up domestic morale.
On July 10, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Russia had “lost 100,000 soldiers – dead – not injured – dead” since the turn of the year.
In mid-September 2024, the Wall Street Journal estimated that the number of dead or wounded on both sides had passed one million.
Trump has attempted to negotiate an end to the war since regaining office in January, to no avail.
Russian officials have repeatedly sent low-level delegates to parley with Ukraine’s representatives during three rounds of negotiations in Turkey.
A top adviser to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky told The Post earlier this week that the latest talks focused entirely on prisoner exchanges, with Russia declining to discuss a cease-fire.
Meanwhile, the ongoing onslaught of Russian missiles on Ukrainian civilians has increased Trump’s frustration with Putin, with the president calling Moscow’s actions “disgusting” on Thursday.
In response, Trump has promised to impose secondary sanctions aimed at countries buying Moscow’s oil, natural gas and uranium.
Those levies are expected to take effect Aug. 8.
Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff was set to travel to Russia following stops in Israel and the Gaza Strip, the president told reporters Thursday.
Trump has yet to meet face-to-face with Putin during his second term, but has said he hopes the sanctions move the Russian leader to reconsider his course.
Putin, 72, has yet to publicly respond to the sanctions threat.
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