Mediazona, an independent Russian media outlet, in collaboration with BBC Russia, has confirmed the names of 75,382 Russian soldiers who have been killed since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The latest update in mid-October added 2,483 names to the list of casualties. The actual number of Russian military deaths is believed to be significantly higher, as the information is based on public sources such as obituaries, posts by relatives, regional media reports, and statements from local authorities. Recent weeks have seen a surge in Russian losses, particularly in ongoing battles in Ukraine’s eastern regions and Russia’s Kursk Oblast. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported 1,630 Russian casualties in one day, marking the second deadliest day for Russia since the start of the war.
The increase in Russian military losses in recent months may be one of the reasons behind the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. Reports indicate that North Korean troops have begun fighting alongside Russian forces in limited numbers as of Oct. 29. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, over 4,200 Russian officers have been killed in combat, with an additional 14,095 Russian convicts also losing their lives on the eastern front. Mediazona’s analysis shows that the majority of casualties come from regions such as Rostov, Sverdlovsk, Bashkiria, Chelyabinsk oblasts, and the Buryatia republic. There has been a notable increase in recruitment from predominantly Muslim regions like Bashkortostan and Tatarstan, leading to a rise in casualties in recent months.
As of Oct. 29, 2024, the Ukrainian military estimates that Russian combat losses total 692,080 troops. CNN reports that a small number of North Korean troops are already in Ukraine, with officials suggesting that many of them are actively engaged in combat. The presence of North Korean troops alongside Russian forces highlights the complexities and international dimensions of the conflict in Ukraine. The involvement of foreign troops from different countries adds a layer of intrigue to the ongoing war and raises questions about the motivations behind such deployments.
The deadly toll on Russian forces in Ukraine has continued to mount, with some of the bloodiest days recorded in recent weeks. The second deadliest day for Russia was reported by Ukraine’s General Staff on Oct. 25, with 1,630 Russian casualties in a single day. This surpassed the previous second-highest tally of 1,530 casualties, which occurred a week earlier. The highest number of casualties in a single day for Russian forces was recorded on May 13, with 1,740 reported deaths. The intensification of fighting in Ukraine’s eastern regions and Russia’s Kursk Oblast has contributed to the high number of casualties among Russian troops, highlighting the brutality and ferocity of the conflict.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has taken a heavy toll on both Ukrainian and Russian forces, with casualties mounting on both sides. The devastating loss of life among Russian soldiers underscores the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by individuals in the line of duty. The details provided by Mediazona and BBC Russia shed light on the magnitude of the conflict and the impact it has had on Russian military personnel and their families. The deployment of North Korean troops adds a new dimension to the conflict and raises further questions about the international ramifications of the war in Ukraine. As the fighting continues, the toll on all sides involved in the conflict continues to rise, emphasizing the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to end the bloodshed and suffering in Ukraine.
