Since the beginning of the Ukrainian counteroffensive on June 4, the Ukrainian military units have lost over 90,000 people so far, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, said on Thursday at the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club.
Apart from that, Putin noted that the losses amounted to more than 550 tanks and almost 1,900 armored vehicles.
“Now, just since the beginning of the so-called counteroffensive, this is the latest data, since June 4 alone, Ukrainian units have already lost over 90,000 people. These are sanitary, irretrievable losses. 557 tanks, almost 1,900 armored vehicles of various classes,” the head of state said.
Answering the experts' questions following his speech, the Russian leader added that Moscow expects Western countries to demonstrate 'some common sense' when it comes to providing aid to Ukraine.
"We are waiting at least for some common sense to kick in. As for whether they [the West] can or cannot manage [aid to Ukraine], that's for them to be asked ... Well, of course they will. I don't see any problems in expanding production and in increasing the amount of money spent on the war, prolonging this conflict," Putin said when asked about whether Western countries can continue supporting Ukraine and what Russia expects from it.
In the conflict, Russia defends its traditions, its culture and its people, Putin said in response to a question about the possibility of describing Russia's operation in Ukraine as a "conflict of civilizations."
"First of all, I do not know what civilization people on the other side of the front line defend," the Russian president added.
Earlier, in the speech, Putin stressed that it was not Russia who started the Ukrainian conflict, on the contrary, its goal is to end it.
"We did not start the so-called war in Ukraine, on the contrary, we are trying to end it," Putin said in his speech.
The president added that it was not Russia that was threatening Donbass with bombings, intimidated Crimea for nearly a decade, used tanks and killed people, but Ukraine.
"A lasting peace will only be established when everyone begins to feel safe, understand that their opinions are respected and that there is a balance in the world, when no one is able to force or force others to live and behave as the hegemon pleases," Putin said.
The president also said that the crisis in Ukraine is not a territorial conflict, as Russia has no interests in terms of conquering any territories.