More than 12,000 Russian soldiers have died since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said today in a video appearance before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. What’s more, Russian troops have lost 389 main battle tanks1,249 armored infantry vehicles, 77 combat aircraft and 90 helicopters, he added, to highlight the intensity of the “open war” that his country is suffering while Moscow insists on speaking of a “special military operation.”
Shmyhal spoke in place of the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, who had been scheduled but was ultimately unable to do so, before a session that today is discussing the conflict and that tomorrow will debate and vote on a proposal on the measures that the Council of Europe should take against Russia for his invasion of the Ukraine.
The body has temporarily suspended Russian participation and the draft resolution, which will be presented this afternoon, could include expulsion as one of the possibilities, indicated sources familiar with the text. Shmyhal clearly opted for the most drastic solution, calling for “Russia’s expulsion from the Council of Europe.”
The Ukrainian Prime Minister thanked the countries of Eastern Europe for the support and solidarity they have shown in welcoming more than 2.5 million refugees who have fled their country. Shmyhal stressed that the invasion represents “the violation of all fundamental rights and freedoms” of Ukraine and its people by Russia, and denounced the death of 90 children in the bombing of cities, as well as the destruction of schools and hospitals.
He also urged “join efforts, not only to defend Ukrainebut to defend all of Europe”, and for this reason he once again called for “closing the sky over Ukraine, for the good of Europe and world security”.
Source: Lasexta
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