Russia's Defense Ministry has given the first figures for the casualties suffered during the occupation of Ukraine.

According to Russian media reports, 498 Russian soldiers have been killed and 1,597 wounded so far.

The claim is significantly smaller than Ukraine's estimate of Russian casualties - Kiev claims to have killed 5,840 Russian troops.

Kiev has not provided figures for the number of Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded.

The BBC

can not independently verify either Russian or Ukrainian claims, but the UK Ministry of Defense believes Moscow forces have suffered heavy losses.

Earlier, Ukraine's emergency services said more than 2,000 civilians and 10 emergency services personnel had been killed so far.

/ Telegraphy

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