Zelensky's big claim a few days after Russia's 'coup', Ukraine killed 21 thousand soldiers of Wagner

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Saturday that the war-torn country has killed at least 21,000 Wagner mercenaries and wounded another 80,000. Speaking during a press conference with Spanish media, Zelensky said the private military company had suffered heavy losses, especially in eastern Ukraine, reports CNN.

Zelensky's big claim a few days after Russia's 'coup', Ukraine killed 21 thousand soldiers of Wagner

Vladimir Putin is facing one of the biggest challenges as Russia's premier after the head of the Wagner Group launched a rebellion against the top leadership. Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky claimed on Saturday that the war-torn country has killed at least 21,000 Wagner mercenaries and wounded 80,000 so far.

Speaking during a press conference with a Spanish media, Zelensky said that "the private military company has suffered huge losses, especially in eastern Ukraine," reports CNN.

According to the Ukrainian president, Wagner mercenaries are mostly criminals with nothing to lose, and are "motivated employees of the Russian army".

Putin is afraid of being killed – Zelensky

Asked if he feared for his life in the midst of the war, Zelensky said it was "more dangerous for Putin". As reported by CNN, he said, "...it is only Russia that they want to kill me, while the whole world wants to kill them."