Ukraine’s actual battlefield casualties are at least three times lower than the figure recently cited by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, according to Ukrainian journalist and serviceman Yurii Butusov.
Speaking in Poland’s Sejm on September 17, Tusk said that, according to information provided by “Ukrainian partners,” Ukraine had recently been losing around 27,000 service members killed and wounded per month. He described the figure as a wartime record.
Butusov challenged that estimate, saying he had contacted sources within the leadership of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
“The real losses are at least three times lower, and during some periods four times lower. To be honest, I am very surprised where Tusk got this information from,” Butusov said.
According to him, the number of Ukrainian troops killed and wounded amounts to no more than 30% of the figure cited by the Polish prime minister.
“If those figures were true, Ukraine would simply have no one left to fight. Fortunately, that is not the case,” Butusov said.
He also noted that Ukrainian forces lose personnel for reasons unrelated to battlefield deaths or injuries. These include soldiers going AWOL, leaving military service for health or age-related reasons, caring for sick relatives, and other legally permitted grounds for discharge.
Butusov argued that even if all these categories were added to the number of killed and wounded, the overall monthly figure would still not come close to 27,000.
He also questioned why the Ukrainian government had not publicly challenged Tusk’s statement or asked the Polish prime minister to clarify the source of the figure.
“I am very surprised where Tusk got this information and why he announced it in the Sejm. I am genuinely interested in the source,” Butusov said.
