Of the 150,000 Russian soldiers deployed in the invasion, the Pentagon estimates that about 10 percent have been killed or injured in the fighting.
This may mean that the Russian losses have reached a critical level, something few could have foreseen one month ago.
– What explains their strength?
– Everyone is surprised at how we manage to fight back one of the world’s strongest military forces. Our soldiers have shown will and fighting spirit, says the mayor of Kyiv, Vitaly Klitschko, in an exclusive interview with TV 2.
– DIGITAL INTERVIEW: TV 2’s Morten Sandøy interviews Kyiv’s mayor. Photo: Geir Johnny Huneide / TV 2
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– They’re fighting for money
It is believed that the Russians had plans to take control of Ukraine within a few weeks. Now the war has lasted over a month, and Russian forces have suffered heavy losses. Many thousands of Russian soldiers must have been killed.
– This is the reason for the lack of Russian success, Klitschko explains:
– They’re fighting for money. We fight for our children. That’s the reason. I am proud to be Ukrainian and defend my country, he says.
He is absolutely certain that Ukraine will win in the end. He believes the Russians do not have the same motivation to fight and to lose their lives.
– I am more than sure that we will win. We fight for our principles, our values and our children. We are ready to die to defend our cities, he says.
– COMFORT: Vitaly Klitschko comforts a crying neighbor on a March 18 city tour. Photo: Rodrigo Abd / AP / NTB
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Comes with prayer
The former boxing champion further says that he is grateful to everyone who supports Ukraine financially, medically and with weapons. At the same time he comes with a prayer.
– We need support from those who have the same values as we have. We not only defend our country, but we also defend you. We defend Europe’s values and principles. We defend peace in Europe, says Klitschko.
He is critical of politicians who support Ukraine with words, but who still do not want to ruin their relationship with Russia.
“You have to decide whether you support Ukraine, which is fighting for independence, or whether you support the aggressive side,” he said.
– EXTINGUISHING FIRE: A Ukrainian firefighter extinguishes a fire at a warehouse after a Russian bomb attack outside Kyiv on Thursday. Photo: Vadim Ghirda / AP / NTB
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He lists Ukrainian cities that no longer exist, and is clear on what it takes to repel the invasion.
– The key is to stand together behind our principles. This is the only opportunity to put pressure on Russia and find a solution, he says.
Ukraine is not a NATO member, and the war is therefore only between Ukraine and Russia. NATO has refused to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine because it could mean an escalation of the war to World War III.
However, many NATO countries have contributed equipment and weapons. Klitschko says the country desperately needs more weapons to fight the Russians.
In addition, there is now also a real fear that Russia will use chemical or biological weapons, as they allegedly did in Syria. Klitschko says he does not rule out the possibility that the same will happen in Ukraine.
– The Russians do not follow any rules. It is possible. We do not rule out anything, he says.
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