“Revealed: The Shocking Number of Russian Soldier Deaths in Ukraine - You Won’t Believe the Truth!”

At the end of March, the public page “Somebody Else’s War” on the Russian social network VK, which tracked the deaths of soldiers from Bashkortostan in the ongoing war in Ukraine, announced it would cease operations. The creators explained, "All this time, the page’s administrators were based outside Russia, which allowed us to speak openly. However, the Russian security services have long been hunting us, and the pressure on our relatives and loved ones still living in the republic has now crossed all acceptable boundaries. We have no moral right to continue our work while putting the safety and lives of those dear to us at risk."

By the time it closed, “Somebody Else’s War” had identified a staggering 9,056 fatalities from Bashkortostan. Other sources, including our own, reported 9,039 dead from the region, underscoring the complexities and challenges of tracking these losses. Bashkortostan has led Russia in absolute numbers of military deaths since the summer of 2024, which may explain the heightened pressure faced by the page’s administrators. Numerous regional media outlets and public pages throughout Russia are engaged in independent tracking of casualties, often yielding data that is more comprehensive than that reported by larger organizations.

The risk of harassment and threats against those involved in documenting these losses is significant. For instance, Vitaly Votanovsky, an activist from Krasnodar krai, faced death threats after posting photographs and videos of graves belonging to Wagner Group fighters. Ultimately, he was forced to leave Russia to ensure his safety. The Russian authorities have also employed legal measures to suppress information about military casualties, with Mediazona documenting over 1,500 court rulings aimed at blocking disclosures related to personnel losses.

Interestingly, even pro-war channels operate under stringent censorship. Recently, one such channel cited Mediazona’s casualty figures but saw the post removed within hours. While individual loss reports often go unchallenged, the overall numbers are a different matter entirely. This indicates a broader effort to control the narrative surrounding the war and its human cost.

Understanding the Impact of Casualties

The data reveals startling trends regarding the distribution of military losses across Russia. Reports indicate that the profile of those killed has evolved over time. In the initial phases of the conflict, from winter to early spring 2022, the Airborne Forces faced the highest casualty rates. However, as the war progressed, the dynamics shifted significantly. By March 2023, prisoners recruited into the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) became the largest category of casualties, reflecting a desperate measure to bolster troop strength. This trend persisted until the capture of Bakhmut when such mass recruitment began to decline.

As of April 10, 2026, confirmed deaths of officers from the Russian army and other security agencies had reached 7,003, marking a notable decline in the proportion of officer fatalities as the conflict evolved. In the early stages of the war, officers accounted for up to 10% of fatalities; by November 2024, that figure had fallen to between 2% and 3%. This shift suggests a change in combat tactics and highlights the increased reliance on volunteer infantry, who typically experience significantly higher casualty rates.

Among the officers killed, the loss of 15 generals has been officially confirmed, including notable figures such as Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, who died in July 2023, and Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, killed in December 2024. These high-profile deaths illustrate the profound impact the conflict has had on military leadership.

While the date of death is known in 189,670 cases, it is evident that this data does not capture the complete day-to-day reality of the war. However, it does highlight periods of intense fighting and the human cost of the conflict. Furthermore, analysis shows that younger soldiers, aged 21-23, accounted for most deaths during the first six months of the war, while volunteers and mobilized individuals are generally older, often over 30.

Mediazona and a dedicated team of volunteers continue to collect and verify casualty data through social media posts, regional media reports, and government publications. Their criteria for confirming deaths are stringent, requiring either publications in official sources or direct verification through familial connections or community posts. They also maintain a careful distinction in categorizing military losses, excluding those from the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, unless they were Russian citizens who joined those forces.

The work of independent organizations remains critical in piecing together the realities of this conflict, as many regional pages operate under the threat of government repression. As the war continues, the need for accurate and transparent data on military and civilian losses becomes increasingly essential for public awareness and accountability.