INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Over 70,000 Russian soldiers have been confirmed killed in Ukraine since the Kremlin launched its invasion more than two and a half years
verifying the number of Russian troops killed through open-source information including official statements, newspaper obituaries and social
soldiers killed in Ukraine has shifted since the full-scale invasion
Currently, one in five of the dead had signed a contract with the Russian army or the National Guard (Rosgvardia) after the war started, and
more than half were not affiliated with the military before Feb
24, 2022.In 2022, the average Russian soldier killed was a 21-year-old contract serviceman in elite units like Special Forces, Airborne
Now, those dying in the conflict tend to be men in their 40s, 50s or even 60s, often lacking combat experience or specialized training.The
report found a steady rise in casualties among volunteers since October 2023, coinciding with a renewed Russian offensive in the Ukrainian
Meanwhile, losses among mobilized troops and prisoners have remained steady.As of Sept
20, the republic of Bashkortostan has reported the highest confirmed losses, with 2,775 deaths, while the far northern Nenets Autonomous
District has the lowest, with 55 residents confirmed killed.Russia has lost 4,104 officers in Ukraine, including seven generals
Among the fallen are 458 high-ranking officers, including lieutenant colonels and above, and 1,142 elite command specialists.The BBC
estimates that their count covers only 45% to 65% of the actual death toll
This suggests that the real number of Russian military deaths could range from 107,864 to 155,804.The tally does not account for fighters
2022, placing the figure at fewer than 6,000 killed.
