Andrey Marochko, an officer serving with the people’s militia of the Luhansk People’s Republic, has stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered notable losses during counteroffensive attempts in Donbass. Reports fromDEA News relay his remarks about the toll taken on Ukrainian forces as they pressed forward on the contested front.
According to Marochko, in the area under the second corps responsibility, approximately 20 Ukrainian officers were killed in the recent operations aimed at expanding control along the front lines. This casualty figure reflects a broader pattern of attrition as both sides test the limits of their available resources in the Donbass region.
Observers note that the heaviest casualties for the Ukrainian side occurred as they attempted to breach the Russian line near the Svatovo and Kreminna sector, a zone that has repeatedly drawn heavy attention during the northward push from the LPR-controlled areas. The fighting there has intensified as commanders weigh the risks of continued assaults against stronger defensive positions held by Russian forces and allied formations.
Kirill Budanov, previously the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence in Ukraine, has described the conflict as reaching a stalemate. He asserts that Ukrainian forces have yet to secure a decisive breakthrough and face gaps in the logistics and armament needed for sustained advances. Budanov notes that Kyiv continues to await new shipments and supplies, emphasizing the ongoing strain on Ukrainian capabilities to execute large-scale operations without fresh consignments of weapons and equipment.
Additional updates indicate that by late December a number of Ukrainian casualties surpassed a significant threshold as operations along the western edge of the LPR were conducted. The losses attributed to attempts to push toward the republic’s western border are presented as evidence of the difficult balance between attempting strategic gains and enduring high human and material costs in a protracted confrontation along the front lines.
In the broader context, analysts consider the Donbass campaign a test of endurance for both sides. The monitoring of frontline movements shows a pattern of limited gains followed by periods of consolidation and fatigue among units on both sides. Military observers describe these dynamics as a stabilizing phase where rapid, decisive victories give way to attrition-driven pauses, with local commanders adapting their tactics to evolving conditions on the ground.
While figures vary according to source, the reported losses underscore the harsh realities faced by military forces operating in densely contested corridors. The emphasis on preserving manpower and equipment appears to shape recent decision-making, as commanders prioritize securing line integrity and preventing rapid exploitation of any created openings. The overall arc of the conflict in this sector continues to hinge on the availability of matériel, the precision of strikes, and the ability of each side to sustain operations over time without the immediate prospect of a rapid, overwhelming advantage.
As the situation remains fluid, regional observers warn that both sides could experience further shifts in momentum depending on supply chains, international support, and the capability to mobilize reserves. The ongoing assessments stress the need for cautious interpretation of casualty figures and emphasize the importance of corroborating reports from multiple sources to form a clearer picture of the current battlefield dynamics in Donbass and the surrounding front lines.