An independent tally conducted by the BBC’s Russian service and the Mediazona news website has confirmed that over 50,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine since the start of the Kremlin’s invasion over two years ago. The number of casualties was verified through open-source information such as official statements, newspaper obituaries, and social media posts. The journalists found that more than 27,300 Russian soldiers were killed in 2023, the second year of fighting. However, the real number of Russian war casualties is likely much higher as the analysis does not include militia in the Russian-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
According to the report, at least 9,000 Russian prisoners who were recruited to fight have been confirmed killed in combat. The Wagner mercenary group, which began recruiting fighters from Russian prisons shortly after the invasion, saw former prisoners surviving for an average of three months. However, those recruited by the Defense Ministry, which took over prison recruitment in early 2023, only lived for an average of two months. Additionally, at least 6,000 mobilized soldiers who were called up in the September 2022 mobilization campaign have been confirmed killed. Among the 50,000 identified servicemen are more than 3,300 officers of the Russian Armed Forces, 390 of whom were in the rank of lieutenant colonel or higher.
The Defense Ministry last updated its official combat death toll for the war in Ukraine in September 2022, reporting under 6,000 killed. This official figure significantly contrasts with the independent tally by the BBC and Mediazona, showing a much higher number of casualties. The outlets’ verification process involved meticulous research and data collection to accurately account for the Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine. Additionally, the analysis sheds light on the recruitment methods used by various groups, such as the Wagner mercenary group and the Defense Ministry, in enlisting fighters for combat.
The journalists’ findings highlight the significant human cost of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with tens of thousands of soldiers losing their lives in the conflict. The data presented by the BBC and Mediazona provides a more comprehensive understanding of the scale of casualties among Russian forces, including prisoners recruited to fight. The high number of casualties reflects the intensity and duration of the conflict in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for over two years. The research conducted by the outlets underscores the importance of transparency and accurate reporting on the impact of armed conflicts on military personnel.
The report’s analysis of Russian war casualties reveals the challenges and risks faced by soldiers and prisoners recruited to participate in the conflict in Ukraine. The differing survival rates among fighters recruited by different groups, such as the Wagner mercenary group and the Defense Ministry, indicate variations in training, support, and combat effectiveness. The significant number of officers among the identified casualties also underscores the leadership roles and responsibilities held by a substantial portion of the Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine. The data presented by the BBC and Mediazona offers a sobering account of the human toll of the ongoing conflict and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those involved in the fighting.
