Meduza and Mediazona estimate 352,000 Russian soldiers die in Ukraine war
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 9
Meduza and Mediazona estimate 352,000 Russian soldiers die in Ukraine war
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 9
The estimate, released on Russia's May 9 Victory Day, covers deaths through end-2025 and is based on nearly 218,000 confirmed names plus probate and court records.
It excludes deaths in 2026 and many foreign fighters or troops from occupied Ukrainian territories fighting for Russia, while suggesting total Russian and Ukrainian military deaths may approach half a million.
CSIS estimated in January that 325,000 Russian and 140,000 Ukrainian soldiers had died by end-2025, as Moscow obscures casualty data and Kyiv seeks to raise Russian monthly losses.
One in 25 young Russian men is now dead or maimed. How long can Putin hide this catastrophic cost from his people?
As Russia's death toll surpasses 350,000, is its economy or its army more likely to collapse first?
With a temporary truce underway, can a peace deal be reached before President Trump's June deadline?
Over 325,000 Russian Soldiers Dead: The Human, Social, and Geopolitical Costs of the Ukraine War (2022–2026)
Overview
As of early 2026, Russian military deaths in Ukraine have reached a staggering scale, with estimates suggesting around 325,000 soldiers killed, making this one of the deadliest European conflicts since World War II. The Kremlin’s efforts to conceal the true extent of its losses make accurate figures difficult to obtain, so independent investigations and detailed reporting by outlets like Mediazona are crucial for transparency. These groups use open-source data and infographics to provide insights into the origins and service of the deceased, highlighting the immense human cost and the importance of independent estimates amid official secrecy.