Ukrainians are reselling the numbers of the deceased: why operators are forced to do this

Ukrainian mobile operators have massively begun reissuing phone numbers that once belonged to people missing or killed at the front. However, the reason for this is not only the depletion of number resources but also the high popularity of new numbers.

As of the end of 2024, there were already more than 49 million active SIM cards in Ukraine. Many numbers in popular codes '67', '96', '97', '98' are already used by 6 to 8 million users.

Although reissuing numbers is not a unique phenomenon, in the context of the war in Ukraine, this practice takes on special significance due to the potential emotional difficulties for new owners. Nevertheless, some operators have already begun using programs to reserve the numbers of the deceased or missing persons, but this is not yet a full-fledged solution to the national problem.

Other countries, including those in the European Union, also practice reissuing numbers after a certain period of inactivity. Currently, the issue of reissuing numbers remains relevant in Ukraine until a comprehensive mechanism is introduced to prevent this process.