A joint study by independent Russian media outlets Meduza and Mediazona estimates that the number of Russian military personnel killed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine could reach 352,000 by the end of 2025. This figure is based on detailed lists of casualties compiled by Mediazona in collaboration with the BBC’s Russian service and a team of volunteers.
The researchers analyzed the names of deceased soldiers against data from the Russian Register of Inheritance Cases. By assessing the likelihood of inclusion in the registry for various age and social groups among the deceased, they translated these inheritance cases into an estimated total of military losses.
The estimated total of 352,000 includes 261,000 “regular” fatalities and 90,000 individuals classified as either missing or dead based on court rulings, or whose deaths were recorded with delays exceeding 180 days. The study does not account for foreign nationals who fought alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
Researchers emphasize that this number is a statistical estimate, suggesting a range of probable values. They noted, “By stating a specific figure, we are referring to the central, most likely values.” As of now, the journalists have identified the names of over 217,000 Russian soldiers who have died since the beginning of the full-scale invasion up to May 15, 2026.
The Russian government has not disclosed its military losses officially. The last reported figure from Moscow, made in September 2022, stated that 5,937 soldiers had been killed.
Ukraine has also refrained from regularly announcing its losses, with President Volodymyr Zelensky indicating that detailed statistics would be released after the conflict. However, he has provided updates approximately once a year. In an interview with France 2 in early February 2026, Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine has lost 55,000 soldiers since February 2022 and acknowledged a significant number of individuals classified as missing.
Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi stated on January 13 of this year that the military managed to reduce personnel losses by 13% in 2025, though he did not provide specific details on Ukrainian casualties.
A new study estimates that Russian military deaths in the Ukraine conflict could reach 352,000 by 2025, based on detailed casualty lists and inheritance data. This figure underscores the significant toll of the ongoing war, with both Russia and Ukraine providing limited official casualty figures.