Journalists identified the names of 29,217 Russian soldiers who died in Ukraine

Journalists identified the names of 29,217 Russian soldiers who died in Ukraine since February last year. At least 870 of them died after the start of the Ukrainian offensive in the spring and summer of 2023. Researchers assume that the real number of dead may be at least two times higher.

Researchers of the Russian Service of the BBC and “Mediazony” are counting the number of dead since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. They use only open data, including: official documents, messages from officials and mass media, publications of close relatives.

In the last month, researchers managed to determine the death of 1,800 people. From the first weeks of the Ukrainian offensive, they recorded a significant increase in casualties among Russian officers, especially the senior ranks. At least two generals, 10 colonels, 8 lieutenant colonels and 14 majors were killed. A lieutenant general, one of the highest ranks in the Russian army, was included in the list of the dead for the first time.

Every third person who died during the counteroffensive of Ukraine was mobilized, according to the study. The number of casualties among artillerymen increased. Researchers note that Russians who fought in pro-Russian separatist formations in the Donbass are not included in the number of dead.

The general list of casualties may contain at least twice as many names of the dead than are actually buried in Russia, researchers note on the basis of monitoring of Russian cemeteries. According to the most conservative estimate, Russia could lose 60 thousand people dead by August. According to the calculations of military experts, another 210 thousand people could have been wounded. Of them, 102,000 could receive serious injuries that prevent them from returning to the army.

Russia and Ukraine do not disclose war losses. The Ministry of Defense of Russia last reported on the total number of casualties on September 21, announcing the death of 5,937 people. A relatively independent assessment of Ukrainian losses was last given in the spring. Then in the documents leaked online, supposedly containing the data of American intelligence, it was reported that Washington estimated the losses of the Ukrainian army at 15.5–17.5 thousand people killed and 109–113 thousand wounded.