A recent investigation by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Crimea.Realities project has verified 2,000 obituaries of Russian soldiers from occupied Crimea as part of the “Cargo 200” initiative. The analysis sheds light on the demographics and circumstances surrounding these fatalities.
According to the findings, Sevastopol accounts for the highest number of obituaries, totaling 520, followed by the Kerch (Lenin) district with 225. The data highlights a concerning trend: the proportion of volunteers among the deceased is declining, while the number of prisoners has increased significantly. In 2023 and 2024, up to 70 volunteer obituaries were recorded each year, but this figure plummeted to just 28 in 2025. Notably, prisoners make up at least 10% of the total obituaries.
The breakdown of the deceased includes 486 contract soldiers, 235 regular military personnel, 201 prisoners, 199 volunteers, 118 conscripts, and 12 draftees. The year 2024 saw the highest number of verified obituaries, with 601 recorded, followed closely by 2025 with 582. It is important to note that these figures may not be exhaustive, as many Russian servicemen from Crimea have been missing for years, and information about some casualties remains undisclosed.
The ages of the deceased predominantly range from 40 to 50 years. Approximately 500 of the obituaries pertain to men born in the 1960s and 1970s. Among the various military units, the 810th Separate Marine Brigade has the highest number of obituaries, totaling 311. In recent years, Crimeans have increasingly been reported killed while serving in formations stationed outside Crimea.
Recent obituaries are frequently received from the Donetsk region of Ukraine. For more detailed information on the obituaries, individuals can visit the “Cargo 200” project website, which offers personal profiles for each deceased soldier and allows users to apply multiple filters for information retrieval.
The investigation into Russian military casualties from Crimea reveals a significant decline in volunteer deaths and an increase in fatalities among prisoners. The data highlights demographic trends and the geographical origins of recent obituaries.
Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty