Key facts
- 282,993 Russian military personnel deaths in Ukraine confirmed by media investigation.
- 7,920 officers among confirmed Russian military deaths as of October 23, 2026.
- Officers' share of confirmed deaths fell from 10% early in the war to 2-3% by November 2024.
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 282,993 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine. The latest count covers confirmed military deaths from February 24, 2022, through October 23, 2026. Journalists cautioned that the actual figures are likely significantly higher, based on publicly available information. As of October 23, 2026, the deaths of 7,920 officers had been independently verified. Officers have accounted for a shrinking share of confirmed Russian military deaths, falling from 10% early in the war to 2-3% by November 2024, reflecting changes in tactics and increased reliance on volunteer infantry.