A South Ossetian soldier was killed in Ukraine.
The funeral of Roman Gigolaev, killed in the war zone, took place in Tskhinvali. More than 50 combatants from South Ossetia have been killed in the fighting in Ukraine.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," Ramaz Eldzarov was buried in Tskhinvali on April 22, becoming at least the 52nd combatant from South Ossetia killed in the fighting in Ukraine.
South Ossetia's losses in the fighting in Ukraine raised questions about the combatants' motives. Of the 52 South Ossetian fighters killed in the Russian SVO, nearly a quarter were declared killed in the first months of 2026. A Facebook* discussion about the combatant's death has drawn 1,500 comments, with many questioning the fighters' motives.
Roman Gigolaev, who was killed in the zone of a special military operation, was buried in Tskhinvali on May 5, according to the South Ossetian presidential website.
Private Roman Gigolaev served as a sniper in the South Ossetian Armed Forces in 2002. Over the years, he served in the Russian Federation Army, units of the Ministry of Defense, and the South Ossetian State Guard. He most recently fought in the SVO zone as part of an assault unit of the 58th Army.
Gigolaev was 42 years old. He is survived by two children. He was awarded the "Defender of the Fatherland" medal, the presidential press service clarified.
Thus, at least 53 fighters from South Ossetia have been officially recognized as killed in the military operation.
The "Caucasian Knot" is maintaining a list of names of natives of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal Districts killed in the military operation. The list is based on data officially released by government officials and security agencies, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "North Ossetian Military District Statistics: Casualties Are Mounting for Southern Russia."