Russian journalists document 155,000 military deaths in the war
Journalists from Mediazona and the “BBC Russian Service” have recorded that since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 155,368 Russian soldiers have been killed, with about a third of them being volunteers.
It is noted that just a year ago, volunteers accounted for only 15% of deaths. Analysis of obituaries and relatives’ testimonies showed that most new contract soldiers signed agreements voluntarily, although there are numerous cases of coercion.
Volunteers are often sent to assault units, which suffer the highest losses. Journalists note that the Russian army’s attempts to reduce training time lead to tactical errors and inadequate medical treatment.
They estimate that actual losses may be significantly higher — between 239,000 and 345,000 Russian soldiers.
The journalists have been tracking deaths since the start of the war in February 2022, using open-source data. By 2025, they estimate total Russian military deaths could exceed 200,000.
This data highlights the scale of the invasion and the importance of accounting for losses on both sides of the conflict.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the night of December 11–12, Russian forces suffered significant losses: 1,400 soldiers killed, one aircraft destroyed, and more than 100 pieces of equipment damaged, underscoring the intensity of ongoing frontline fighting.
