Journalists from the BBC Russian Service, “Mediazona,” and a team of volunteers have identified at least 212,188 fallen servicemen of the Russian Federation since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine. This figure only includes those whose names have been confirmed through open sources.
This is reported by Finway
Drones Have Increased Frontline Losses
According to the research, the majority of Russian losses in 2025 and 2026 are attributed to soldiers who died as a result of drone strikes in the so-called “kill zone.” Due to the widespread use of drones, this zone has significantly expanded — its width currently ranges from 500 meters to 10–15 kilometers. The extensive application of drones greatly complicates assaults and troop rotations on the front lines.
Who Makes Up the Majority of Casualties
The largest share among the deceased consists of volunteers — 77,846 individuals. This is followed by military personnel whose status is unidentified (47,316), contract soldiers (41,937), convicts (23,710), and mobilized individuals (18,479).
Researchers note that contracts for service in the Russian army are now mostly signed by residents of small towns and rural areas. This is due to limited opportunities for stable income and active recruitment efforts by local authorities in such regions.
“The actual losses of Russia in the war against Ukraine are evidently higher than the figures provided. Military experts suggest that the data from journalists and volunteers may cover between 45% to 65% of the actual number of casualties. Officially, both the Russian and Ukrainian authorities do not disclose the number of losses.”