NOTE: I now write for Aporia Magazine. Please sign up there! The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, a respected polling outfit, recently asked Ukrainians whether any of their friends or close relatives have died in the war. (The sample comprised adults living on territory that was controlled by the Ukrainian government as of 24 February, 2022: those living in the DPR, LPR and Crimea were not included; nor were refugees.)
Interesting piece ! One nit to pick : relationships can be casual , but in this case causal was the correct term
My last Ukrainian casualties estimate IIRC was 80k Ukrainian KIA at EOY 2022. https://twitter.com/powerfultakes/status/1617634954879578112
Your lower range figures (adjusting for the elderly having fewer friends) would be in line with that.
I added an additional caveat about the Covid death rates being slightly inflated.