EC removes data on dead Ukrainian soldiers from von der Leyen’s speech

The European Commission has removed data on 100,000 dead Ukrainian soldiers from a written statement and video message from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This was announced by the official representative of the EC Dana Spinant on Twitter.

Spinant explained that in the original speech of the head of the EC, there was an “inaccuracy in the numbers.” “The estimate used from external sources referred to losses, that is, both killed and wounded, and was supposed to show the brutality of Russia,” she said.

An updated recording of the speech by the head of the EC is available on the Twitter account of Ursula von der Leyen. Earlier today, she published a post in which urged hold Moscow accountable, and create a structure for the use of confiscated Russian assets. In the original video, the head of the EC also provided data on the deaths from Ukraine. She stated that 20,000 civilians and 100,000 Ukrainian military have allegedly died to date. In the new version of the video, these words are cut out.

Last time the Russian Ministry of Defense called the total number of losses by Ukraine on 21 September. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that 61,207 Ukrainian servicemen were killed during the hostilities, and another 49,368 people were injured. He also cited data on the dead Russian military. According to him, the Russian side lost 5937 people.

Russia’s special operation in Ukraine began on February 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the protection of the inhabitants of Donbass, as well as the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, its goals. During the special operation, Russian troops took full control of the LPR, as well as most of the DPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Subsequently, these territories became part of Russia, and on October 19 martial law was introduced in the regions.

Subscribe on “Vedomosti” in Telegram and stay up to date with the main news of the economy and business