Zelensky reports Russian casualties three times higher than Ukrainian losses

According to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia's daily average casualties in the war are around three times the number of Ukrainian losses.

The news comes as Zelensky and Europeanleaders are set to discuss the war between Russia and Ukraine with President Donald Trump later this week, while the two could even have a discussion virtually today (Wednesday).

Zelensky met with journalists on August 12 to report on the latest figures, where he claimed Russia's daily losses were roughly 1,000, according to The Kyiv Independent.

He stated: "For example, yesterday's figures, which are roughly average: Russian losses per day were about 1,000 - 500 killed and 500 wounded."

Despite the huge losses Russian forces have suffered, their advance has picked up pace in recent months in the face of undermanned Ukrainian brigades in eastern Donetsk Oblast.

The latest stats provided by the Ukrainian leader state that 531 Russian soldiers have been killed, 428 injured, and nine captured on August 11, while Ukraine's losses were 340, including 18 killed, 243 injured, and 79 missing.

According to the Ukrainian military, Russia has suffered more than 1 million deaths, wounded, and captured as of August, which is in line with Western estimates as well.

However, there is no way to confirm this because Moscow has not released its casualty figures.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy and European leaders are set to speak to Donald Trump at a virtual meeting on Wednesday ahead of his summit with Vladimir Putin.

The meeting with Trump and Putin will take place in Alaska on Friday, but Europe is concerned that the two leaders will negotiate a peace deal without input from Ukraine.

"An imitated rather than genuine peace will not hold for long and will only encourage Russia to seize even more territory. I noted that we are ready for any format of meeting aimed at stopping the killings and ending the war," said Zelensky on Tuesday.

Zelensky has said Vladimir Putin wanted the rest of Donetsk included in a ceasefire plan, but he rejected this.

While Ukraine controls around 30%, or 9,000 sq km, of Donetsk, to give it up would make way for Russia to launch further offensives.

A recent poll shows that the majority of Ukrainians are desperate for an end to the war, but other recent polls also suggest they don't want to reach a ceasefire deal if it means making devastating concessions.

The Gallup poll, released last week, found that 69 per cent of Ukrainians want a negotiated end to the war as soon as possible.