**Russia Loses Hundreds of Thousands in Ukraine War**
The US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, said that Russia has suffered at least 700,000 casualties since the war with Ukraine started in February 2022. This includes soldiers killed and wounded.
Mr. Austin spoke at a meeting in California on December 7. He also said that Russia spent over $200 billion on the war effort against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military estimated that Moscow’s losses were even higher – over 750,000 soldiers killed or wounded by November 2024. Russia has not released its own numbers, but denied claims made by Donald Trump that they lost around 600,000 troops in the war.
**Supporting Ukraine**
Mr. Austin emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine. He pointed to the work of the Ramstein contact group, which provided over $57 billion in security assistance for Ukraine.
The US Secretary of Defense also noted significant strategic outcomes, including preventing a nuclear confrontation with Russia and strengthening NATO’s eastern flank. The alliance has increased its defense spending by nearly $80 billion and become more united in response to the war.
**Meetings in Paris**
There was a closed-door meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President-elect Donald Trump, and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on December 7. The meeting lasted just 35 minutes.
Mr. Zelenskyy described the meeting with Mr. Trump as “good” and “productive.” He expressed his belief that “peace through strength is possible.”
**Casualties**
President Zelenskyy has officially disclosed that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action since Russia’s invasion started in February 2022.
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