Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv aims to inflict losses on Russian forces at a scale that exceeds Moscow’s monthly reinforcements, outlining a strategy he believes could weaken Russia’s military capacity and shift the balance in the nearly four-year-old war.

Addressing military personnel, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian units should ensure Russian losses surpass the number of troops Moscow can deploy each month, describing 50,000 losses as the optimal level to achieve that goal. He said recent battlefield assessments showed a steady rise in Russian casualties, including killed and severely wounded soldiers no longer able to return to combat.

Ukraine’s military leadership estimates tens of thousands of Russian troops were killed or incapacitated in December alone. Kyiv claims Russia has suffered more than one million casualties since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022, though such figures cannot be independently verified.

The war remains largely stalemated, with Russian forces struggling to make significant territorial gains despite sustained offensives in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian commanders say their troops continue to hold key cities in the Donetsk region, while countering Russian attempts to advance using small assault groups.

Zelenskyy said drone warfare has become central to Ukraine’s strategy, with unmanned systems now striking the majority of targets on the battlefield. He said domestic drone production has expanded rapidly, supported by incentive schemes that reward operators and frontline troops for confirmed hits and the destruction of Russian equipment.

The president recently appointed a new defence minister with a background in digital innovation, tasking him with accelerating drone manufacturing and strengthening international technological cooperation.

Meanwhile, Russia has continued heavy drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, leaving large numbers of households without electricity and heating during winter. Ukrainian authorities said repair crews were working around the clock, while international partners have provided generators and emergency support.

Ceasefire talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States have so far failed to produce a breakthrough, with Moscow showing no willingness to compromise on territorial demands. Zelenskyy has warned that without stronger military pressure and firm security guarantees, prospects for a negotiated settlement remain remote.

With inputs from ALJAZEERA