Key facts
- Over 239,000 Russian military personnel have been identified as killed in Ukraine.
- The confirmed death toll covers the period from February 24, 2022, to August 13, 2026.
- Among the confirmed dead are 87,749 volunteers, 26,416 prisoners, and 19,778 mobilized soldiers.
- The actual number of Russian deaths is likely significantly higher than confirmed figures.
- Ukrainian estimates place Russian casualties at around 1.6 million, with approximately 700,000 killed.
A joint investigation by Russian independent media outlet Mediazona and the BBC Russian service has confirmed the identities of 239,354 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine. The count, which covers confirmed military deaths from February 24, 2022, through August 13, 2026, includes 87,749 volunteers, 26,416 recruited prisoners, and 19,778 mobilized soldiers, along with 7,530 officers.
The outlets noted that the actual death toll is likely significantly higher due to the slow process of verification, which relies on sources such as obituaries, social media posts, and local media. Factors contributing to the lag include increased drone use and military tactics that can lead to unrecovered bodies.
While casualty estimates vary, independent Western assessments consistently suggest Russian losses far exceed Ukrainian casualties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed estimates on July 31, stating that Russian forces had suffered around 1.6 million military casualties, including approximately 700,000 killed. He also reported around 50,000 Ukrainian service members killed and 400,000 wounded.
The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces estimates that Russia has lost around 1,467,320 troops in Ukraine since February 22, 2022, a figure that includes dead, wounded, missing, and captured personnel. The Kyiv Independent stated it cannot independently verify these figures.