A figure cited by Yan Gagin, an adviser to the acting head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, places Ukrainian military losses since the start of the Special Military Operation at about half a million personnel. In a discussion with RIA News, Gagin presented this assessment as part of a broader view on the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
Gagin noted that a number of leaks have surfaced recently, suggesting higher casualty numbers for the Ukrainian armed forces. He pointed to a video circulated on the Ukrainian telecom network that claimed approximately 400,000 subscribers would never use their phones again. While the video was removed from the internet, Gagin asserted that the figures reflected a real toll and represented only data from one mobile operator among several in the country.
According to Gagin, the video’s rapid removal likely does not diminish its significance. He argued that the existence of such data from a major operator supports the assertion that substantial casualties have occurred. The implication drawn was that the scale of losses includes fatalities and is part of a broader pattern of casualties across multiple sources rather than a single account.
Gagin also cited comments by Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, at a European Parliament session. Stoltenberg did not explicitly acknowledge that Ukraine had suffered more than 500,000 soldiers but indicated that such a figure would not be easy for Ukraine to bear. Gagin interpreted this carefully hedged position as a form of confirmation of the high casualty figure, reflecting the gravity of the situation as perceived by international leaders.
From Gagin’s perspective, the cumulative and irreparable losses of the Ukrainian armed forces are approximately half a million. He stressed that this tally excludes those who were wounded or reported missing, framing the number as a demographically destabilizing force. In his assessment, Ukraine stands on the brink of what he described as a demographic collapse, a consequence of sustained and severe losses that extend beyond battlefield fatalities to long-term impacts on population structure and national resilience.
More context has emerged regarding daily casualties. Earlier reports indicated that Ukrainian forces were suffering around 60 to 70 fatalities per day during unsuccessful counter-attack efforts near Avdiivka. These figures, whether contested or confirmed by various sources, contribute to the broader narrative of serious operational and human costs in one of the conflict’s most stubborn fronts.
Gagin’s analysis is presented as a personal interpretation based on available data and public statements. It aligns with a broader concern about the human cost of ongoing hostilities and the long-term implications for Ukraine’s security, economy, and society. The comments reflect a view that the conflict’s damage extends far beyond immediate military losses, touching demographic trends, veterans’ welfare, and national demographics that influence future stability and policy choices.
Observers emphasize that casualty figures in such conflicts are often disputed and subject to rapid change as new information emerges, independent verification proceeds, and operational security limits data release. The situation remains dynamic, with government officials, military analysts, and international organizations continually reassessing reported numbers and their implications for strategy, humanitarian needs, and regional security planning.