No less than 498 Russian soldiers have been reportedly killed and 1,597 wounded since the beginning of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
The ministry quoted interfax saying over 2,870 Ukrainian soldiers and “nationalists” have been killed and about 3,700 wounded.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Wednesday also confirmed that Russia has destroyed transportation infrastructure, houses, hospitals and kindergartens in the country.
“During this time, more than 2,000 Ukrainians died, excluding our defenders”, the service said in a statement that was later removed.
The UN reported at least 136 civilian deaths but cautioned the toll is likely “much higher.”
The number of wounded persons in Ukraine, according to the UN stands at 525 with more than 870,000 people that have fled the nation, it adds