The Russian ministry of defense says 498 Russian servicemen have died during its special operation in Ukraine.

Iran PressEurope: The news came as the Russian operation in Ukraine continued for the seventh day. It began on Thursday after President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces to enter Ukraine, following months of a heavy military build-up on the border. More than 600,000 civilians have fled Ukraine, according to the UN.

Putin says he had no other choice than to launch the military operation to stop the Ukrainian military’s interference in two eastern republics that have broken away from Ukraine. Russia perceives NATO’s eastward expansion as a threat.

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