In The 100 Days Of Russia's Ukraine Invasion, There Are No Winners, But A Lot Of Losers

More than 4,100 lives were lost, and close to 5,000 civilians were injured, and more than seven million displaced - these are the 'official figures from the past 100 days since Russia launched its 'special military operation' in Ukraine.

We may never know the real toll, especially in cities like Mariupol, which Ukraine says was the scene of a Russian genocide.

Reuters

Lives lost, cities ruined and no end to war

In the past 100 days, entire Ukrainian cities have been reduced to rubble and both civilian and military infrastructure of the country has been dealt massive blows that would take decades to recover.

On February 24, when Russian President Vladimir Putin gave marching orders to his troops, many believe that he expected a short war, that could be over within days or a couple of weeks.

Reuters

But that did not happen and even after 100 days, there is no end in sight.

Russia now controls 20 per cent of Ukraine

As far as Russia is concerned, though the war may not have gone as they had wished for, it is not all that bad.

Even by Ukraine's admission, the invading Russian troops are now in control of nearly 20 per cent of the country.

Reuters

Volodymyr Zelensky promises to continue fighting

On the eve of the anniversary, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said up to 100 of his soldiers were dying each day as they resisted Russia's push to control the country's eastern region.

He also said that Russia now occupies a fifth of Ukraine's territory. Before the war, which began on February 24, Russia and Moscow-backed separatists accounted for less than 10 per cent of Ukraine.

Following the end of the battle in Mariupol last month, with Russia taking control of the Azovstal steel plant and the city, both sides have now shifted their military focus to the northeastern part of the Donetsk region, and the western part of the Luhansk region, both in Donbas.

AFP

The current military action is centred around two strategically important cities in the Luhansk region, namely Severodonetsk and Lysychansk.

Zelensky who became a household name across the world since the launch of the war says his country will continue to fight,

¡°We have defended Ukraine for 100days already. Victory will be ours,¡± he said.

In his video address Friday on the war's 100th day, Zelensky said many words and numbers are now associated with the war, but ¡°there are three words for which we have been fighting for 100days after eight years: ¡®peace,¡¯ ¡®victory,¡¯ ¡®Ukraine.¡¯ Glory to Ukraine!¡±

AP

Cost of Russia's war

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed that Moscow's "special military operation", would continue despite Western pressure and increased Western assistance to Kyiv.

But many are asking at what cost Russia is continuing with the war.

When Russia rolled its troops, into Ukraine, they ran into a brick wall of resistance from the local forces and volunteers.

Russia also ended up exposing its armory to the enemy which had the home field advantage.

Reuters

According to Ukraine, in the hundred days of the war, Russia has lost 31,000 soldiers, 1,367 tanks,

3,366 armored personnel vehicles, 661 artillery systems, 207 multiple launch rocket systems,

95 anti-aircraft systems, 210 warplanes, 175 helicopters, 535 drones of operational and tactical level, 121 cruise missiles and 13 warships or boats.

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