The number of dead in Ukraine’s ongoing war has seen a dramatic increase, revealing the true scale of the devastating consequences. Unnamed US officials estimate that the death toll has reached a staggering 70,000, with as many as 120,000 injured. These figures are even more alarming considering the relatively small size of Ukraine’s armed forces, estimated to be only half a million strong.
Margo, a worker at a small brick mortuary near the front line in Donetsk, bears witness to the horrors of war on a daily basis. It is her job to record the particulars of the fallen soldiers, although the Ukrainian government does not provide an official toll of war casualties. Margo acknowledges that the losses are enormous, but the actual figures remain classified.
The rise in casualties can be partly attributed to the counter-offensive in southern Ukraine. The push to breach Russia’s occupation defenses in June resulted in significant losses, particularly among young newly trained soldiers. The city of Donestsk fell to Russia in May after one of the bloodiest battles of the war.
In the mortuary, bodies are brought from the battlefield in body bags. Margo and her colleagues work tirelessly to put names to the unknown soldiers, searching for clues that might lead to their identification. The sheer volume of bodies and the harrowing scenes they witness take a toll on the mortuary staff, but they remain resolute in their duty to give the fallen a proper send-off.
The impact of the rising casualties is evident in the cemeteries of Ukraine, where fresh graves continue to fill the landscape. The grief and loss experienced by the families are immeasurable. Oksana, whose husband Pavlo was killed in the war, now serves in an aerial surveillance drone unit. She sees it as her moral duty to continue what her husband started and be a part of Ukraine’s future victory.
The Ukrainian government has maintained secrecy surrounding casualty numbers, citing strategic reasons. Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar argues that the enemy uses this information to calculate Ukraine’s likely next steps. However, this lack of transparency raises questions about accountability and the need for families to know the truth about their loved ones.
The toll on the men fighting on the front lines is immense, both physically and emotionally. The deputy battalion commander known as “Lermontov” predicts that the war will last for another ten years. The lack of advanced equipment and armoured vehicles poses a significant challenge for Ukrainian soldiers, who often find themselves lacking proper resources.
The commander of the 68th Jaeger Brigade admits his inability to provide enough safety for his soldiers and asks for forgiveness from the families of the fallen. Despite the overwhelming losses, Ukrainian soldiers remain fiercely determined to fight against Russian advances.
The mounting casualties in Ukraine’s war have far-reaching implications, affecting not only the lives of the fallen soldiers but also their families and the entire Ukrainian society. The devastating human cost must not be overshadowed by political and strategic considerations. It is crucial to acknowledge and support those who have sacrificed their lives for their motherland and strive for a peaceful resolution to end the ongoing conflict.
