Russian media: More than 239.000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine

More than 239.000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine have been identified by name since the start of the invasion in February 2022, according to data reported today by independent Russian media outlet Mediazona and the BBC Russian Service.

As of August 13, 2026, these two media outlets had confirmed the deaths of 239.354 soldiers.

Among the identified victims are 87.749 volunteers, 26.416 prisoners recruited from Russian prisons, 19.778 conscripts and 7.530 officers. A complete list of names, along with identification photographs and a verified map of losses, is available at the link – 200.zona.media.

The authors of the investigation emphasize that the actual death toll is likely much higher. The verification relies on careful cross-checking of death notices, posts by relatives on social media, articles in the local press, and official statements.

Mediazone attributes the delay in the count to the widespread use of drones and a shift in tactics toward small-unit infiltration.

These factors often prevent the repatriation of bodies for long periods of time, which delays the identification and official registration of deaths.

The exact date of death could be determined in 221.500 cases, representing 93 percent of confirmed losses.

The BBC reported on July 26 that "in the last two years, the number of military personnel confirmed dead has not fallen below 200 per day, according to data collected from publicly available and verified sources."

However, that number only includes formally identified deaths, so the actual number of losses is likely significantly higher.

Although estimates vary, independent Western assessments conclude that Russian losses far exceed those of Ukrainian forces.

In late July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky put the figure at approximately 1,6 million Russian casualties, including wounded and around 700.000 dead, since February 24, 2022.

Zelensky also cited the number of 50.000 Ukrainian soldiers killed and another 400.000 wounded.

For its part, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army estimated that the Russian army had "lost" approximately 1.467.320 members by August 17, which includes those killed, wounded, missing, and captured.