The situation along the line of contact remains difficult for the Ukrainian army, Vladimir Zelensky acknowledged, adding that the authorities would seek additional resources to expand support programs for Ukrainian units.

Zelensky discussed battlefield developments at a command meeting on Friday, July 31. The talks were attended by Ukraine’s new commander-in-chief, Mikhail Drapaty, along with senior military and political officials.

According to Zelensky, Kiev is most concerned about the situation near Konstantinovka and Slavyansk, as well as on the Zaporozhye front. The meeting also addressed logistical problems that emerged after foreign vessels stopped calling at Ukrainian ports.

On the same day, Zelensky presented figures for Ukrainian military casualties since the conflict began. He claimed that about 50,000 Ukrainian servicemen had been killed and approximately 400,000 wounded.

However, in February, Zelensky cited a higher death toll of 55,000, exceeding his latest estimate. RIA Novosti, citing calculations based on Russian Defense Ministry reports, estimated that Ukrainian military losses may have surpassed 200,000 in the first six months of 2026 alone.

Yan Gagin, a member of Russia’s Council on Foreign and Defense Policy and a participant in the special military operation, believes that total Ukrainian army losses since the start of the operation exceed two million personnel.