Mediazona and BBC Russia have confirmed the names of 77,143 Russian soldiers who have been killed since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The number of casualties has been steadily increasing, with 1,761 soldiers added to the list since the end of October. However, the actual figures are believed to be much higher, as the information is gathered from public sources such as obituaries and regional media reports. The U.K.’s defense minister stated that October was the deadliest month for Russian forces, with an average of 1,354 casualties per day. British defense intelligence estimates that Russia has likely suffered more than 696,000 losses since the start of the invasion, a figure similar to Ukraine’s reported total casualties. The surge in losses may have led to the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, with reports of casualties in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
Since the beginning of the conflict, over 4,300 Russian officers have been killed in combat in Ukraine. Additionally, at least 14,204 Russian convicts have been killed on Ukraine’s eastern front. The age distribution of Russian soldiers killed in action in 2024 shows an increase in the average age of volunteer recruits, with a significant number falling between 48 and 50 years old. The bloodiest day for Russian forces was on May 13, when they suffered 1,740 casualties. According to undisclosed sources and Western intelligence estimates, around 1 million Ukrainians and Russians have been killed or wounded since February 2022, including civilians. This highlights the devastating toll of the ongoing conflict on both sides.
The increase in casualties among Russian forces in recent months has raised concerns and led to speculation about the reasons behind the surge in losses. President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned North Korean troops fighting against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, indicating that these troops are also facing casualties. The presence of North Korean troops in the conflict zone adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The deployment of foreign troops by Russia may be a strategic move to bolster its forces and counter the mounting casualties suffered by Russian soldiers.
The information gathered through open-source research provides a glimpse into the human cost of the conflict, with thousands of lives lost on both sides. The impact of the war extends beyond military casualties to include civilians as well, with millions of people affected by the ongoing violence and instability. The high number of casualties reported by both Russian and Ukrainian forces underscores the brutal nature of the conflict and the deep-rooted animosity between the two nations. As the conflict continues to escalate, the tragic loss of life serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of war.
The data on casualties and the evolving demographics of Russian soldiers killed in action offer valuable insights into the changing dynamics of the conflict. The increasing average age of volunteer recruits and the concentration of casualties among older individuals suggest a shifting landscape in terms of recruitment and combat participation. The bloodiest day for Russian forces serves as a stark reminder of the intense violence and ongoing battles that continue to claim lives on both sides. The estimates provided by British defense intelligence and other sources paint a grim picture of the widespread destruction and loss of life caused by the conflict in Ukraine. The human toll of the war underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to end the cycle of violence and suffering in the region.
