Key facts
- Mediazona and BBC Russian service confirmed 248,844 Russian military deaths in Ukraine as of Sept. 10, 2026.
- The confirmed death toll includes over 80,000 volunteers and 7,656 officers.
- The actual number of Russian military deaths is likely significantly higher than confirmed figures.
- Russia has been seeking to enlist foreign nationals, which Amnesty International described as human trafficking.
- Ukraine's General Staff reported 1,506,900 Russian casualties (killed, captured, wounded, or missing) as of Sept. 13.
- British intelligence estimated 500,000 Russian troops killed as of Sept. 11.
An investigation by independent Russian media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has identified 248,844 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine as of September 10, 2026. This figure represents an increase of 6,097 confirmed deaths since Mediazona's last update in late August 2026. The journalists compiled the data from public sources including obituaries, social media posts by relatives, regional media reports, and official statements, acknowledging that the actual death toll is likely higher. The confirmed casualties include over 80,000 volunteers, 88,600 conscripts, 26,979 recruited prisoners, and 20,350 mobilized soldiers, along with 7,656 officers. The date of death is known for nearly 93% of the confirmed casualties. While casualty estimates vary, Western assessments consistently suggest Russian losses significantly exceed Ukrainian casualties. Ukraine's General Staff reported 1,506,900 Russian casualties (killed, captured, wounded, or missing) as of September 13. Separately, British intelligence officials estimated on September 11 that 500,000 Russian troops have been killed. Western intelligence also indicates that Russia has fallen short of its monthly recruitment targets, losing more soldiers than it recruits. Amnesty International reported on September 10 that Russia increasingly seeks to enlist foreign nationals, practices that can amount to human trafficking. Mediazona's ongoing compilation of Russian soldier deaths led to the outlet being designated a "foreign agent" by the Kremlin for a second time on August 21.