MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. Over 2,870 Ukrainian troops were killed in Russia’s special operation in Ukraine while casualties among the Russian forces amount to 498, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov said on Wednesday.

"Among Ukrainian nationalists and armed forces, the losses are as follows: over 2,870 killed and about 3,700 wounded. The confirmed data alone indicates that 572 Ukrainian servicemen have been captured. Unfortunately, there are losses among our comrades participating in the special military operation: 498 Russian servicemen have been killed in fulfilling their military duty. The families of the fallen servicemen are receiving all possible assistance. A total of 1,597 of our comrades have been wounded," the spokesman said.

Russian soldiers and officers are displaying courage, valor and heroism in the course of the special military operation, the general stressed.

"The Russian servicemen and the Russian army are accomplishing their task with honor. It removes a real threat to Russia that emanated until recently from Ukrainian territory, from the territory, on which NATO bases, nuclear weapons and their delivery vehicles were to have appeared in the near future contrary to the will of the Ukrainian people. The Motherland will be protected," the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said.