Ukraine says Russian army has suffered sizable material losses in war

ANKARA

Ukraine said Sunday that the Russian army has suffered substantial material losses since launching the war on Feb. 24.

"The total combat losses of the enemy from Feb. 24 to March 13 are approximately as follows: more than 12,000 soldiers, 374 tanks and 1,226 armored combat vehicles," the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Facebook.

In addition, 140 Russian artillery systems, 62 multiple rocket launchers, 34 air defense systems, 74 aircraft, 86 helicopters, 600 vehicles, three ships/boats, 60 fuel trucks and seven operational and tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were destroyed, it noted.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited wounded soldiers at a military hospital in the capital Kyiv, according to state news agency Ukrinform.

He thanked the soldiers for their bravery and service and presented them with medals, the agency added.

Since Russia launched its war on Ukraine, more than 2.69 million people have fled to other countries, according to UN estimates.

At least 596 civilians have also been killed and 1,067 injured in Ukraine, it said.

While the European Union, the US and others have imposed sanctions on Moscow, many companies and global brands have also suspended operations in Russia