Key facts
- Over 225,000 Russian soldiers have been identified as killed in Ukraine by Mediazona and BBC Russian.
- The confirmed death toll includes volunteers, recruited prisoners, mobilized soldiers, and officers.
- UK intelligence estimates nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers killed.
- Russian authorities have not released official figures on their army's losses.
- Ukraine recaptured nearly 100 square kilometers of territory in May.
An investigation by independent Russian media outlets Mediazona and the BBC Russian service has confirmed the identities of 225,019 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine. This figure represents an increase of 3,813 names since the outlets' last update in late May. The journalists emphasize that the actual death toll is likely significantly higher, as their verified information is drawn from public sources like obituaries and social media posts. The confirmed casualties include over 82,400 volunteers, 25,400 recruited prisoners, and 19,000 mobilized soldiers, along with 7,226 officers. These figures contrast with broader assessments from Western intelligence and Ukrainian officials. Anne Keast-Butler, head of the UK's intelligence services, stated on May 27 that nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested monthly Russian losses exceed 35,000, and Commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported over 83,000 Russian deaths as of May 20. The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces estimates total Russian troop losses, including killed, wounded, missing, and captured, at approximately 1,380,120. These casualty estimates emerge as Ukraine has reportedly gained momentum on the battlefield, recapturing nearly 100 square kilometers of territory in May. Russian authorities have consistently refused to release official figures on their army's losses since the full-scale invasion began. Meanwhile, President Zelensky stated in February that at least 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed.