Greater than 3,500 Russian troopers have been killed for the reason that invasion of Ukraine started earlier this week, in accordance with the Ukrainian navy.

Russia initiated the invasion on Thursday, following weeks of heightened stress between the 2 nations. The Russian navy proceed to maneuver towards Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. The battle threatens to upend the lives of thousands and thousands of Ukrainians, lots of whom have tried to flee the nation whereas others are being deployed to defend the nation.

However thus far, the invasion has additionally come at a value for the Russians. Along with the hundreds of claimed deaths, practically 200 members of the Russian navy have additionally been captured, Ukraine's Armed Forces mentioned Saturday, in accordance with The Kyiv Impartial.

Russia has additionally misplaced 14 airplanes, eight helicopters, 102 tanks, 536 armed automobiles, 15 heavy machine weapons and one BUK missile for the reason that invasion started, Ukraine's navy mentioned.

For comparability, fewer than 2,500 U.S. service members have died in Afghanistan, a struggle that spanned 20 years.

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko additionally cited the variety of Russian deaths on CNN Tuesday, whereas urging that the nation ought to obtain extra weapons because the Russian navy approaches Kyiv.

"Putin ought to clarify to the Russians why already 3.5 thousand Russians are killed through the 72 hours of the Russian aggression," Poroshenko mentioned.

He added that Ukraine has misplaced about 40 civilians, together with two kids—declaring that Russia has attacked kindergartens and faculties.

In the meantime, no less than six different individuals had been injured after a Russian missile struck an condo constructing outdoors of Kyiv early Saturday morning.

Russian troops continued making their method to the capital on Saturday, with the Ukrainian navy preventing again. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned in a video handle Saturday that the nation's armed forces efficiently repelled assaults from Russian forces.

"We efficiently fought off enemy assaults," he mentioned. "We're defending our nation, our land, the way forward for our youngsters. Kyiv and key places close to the capital are underneath our management."

In the meantime, the U.S. Division of State licensed greater than $350 million in navy help to Ukraine, totaling greater than $1 billion all through the previous 12 months. The U.S. and different nations have additionally applied sanctions in opposition to Russia in retaliation for the invasion.

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have existed for years, with Russia lengthy claiming that some areas within the southeastern a part of Ukraine ought to belong to them. In 2014, tensions shook worldwide politics when Russia invaded the area of Crimea.

Newsweek reached out to the Ukrainian navy for additional remark Saturday morning.

3,500 Russian Soldiers Killed
Greater than 3,500 Russian troopers have been killed for the reason that invasion of Ukraine started earlier this week, in accordance with the Ukrainian navy. Above, a Ukranian serviceman is seen in Kyiv on Friday. Anastasia Vlasova/Getty Photos