Leaked data and military experts point to mounting Russian casualties and recruitment strain
Leaked Rosstat records indicate nearly 500,000 Russian troop fatalities since 2022, amid reports of forced recruitment, counter-intelligence arrests in Latvia, and internal military criticism.
Analysis of leaked death registry data from Russia’s statistics agency, Rosstat, indicates that nearly 500,000 Russian military personnel have been killed since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Analyzed by Janis Kluge of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, the records suggest monthly fatalities exceeded 15,000 in late 2024 and early 2025.
The high casualty rate aligns with growing reports surrounding Russia's aggressive recruitment practices, including the enlistment of individuals with severe mental health conditions. Simultaneously, European counter-intelligence agencies continue to target Russian proxy networks, highlighted by the recent arrest of suspected operative Vasilijs Kovacovs near Riga, Latvia. Meanwhile, internal dissent persists from prominent figures such as retired Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov, who declared that Russia has effectively lost the war and urged President Vladimir Putin to initiate immediate peace negotiations.
Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti
How outlets assessed this
- Vijesti Skeptical Highlighted expert assessments questioning whether the planned post-conflict military deployment in Ukraine will ever materialize.
- Klix Neutral Focused on technical details, participants, and schedule of exercise COALITION 26.2 without assessing deployment probability.
- Vijesti Skeptical Highlighted expert doubts regarding whether European troops will ever actually deploy, framing the mission's future as uncertain.
- Klix Neutral Reported factually on exercise logistics, participant nations, and deployment conditions without assessing the mission's likelihood.
- Vijesti Cautious Highlighted analyst doubts regarding whether the planned European peacekeeping mission will ever actually be deployed to Ukraine.
- Klix Neutral Focused on the practical operational details, troop participation, and timeline of the multinational drills.
- Vijesti Skeptical Highlighted expert assessments questioning whether European troops will ever actually deploy to Ukraine post-conflict.
Sources
- Vijesti — Rusija: Biznis napravljen na regrutaciji za rat u Ukrajini -...
- N1 — Gardijan: Podaci iz baze umrlica pokazuju da je u Ukrajini poginulo blizu pola miliona ruskih vojnika
- Klix — Procurile informacije iz Rosstata: U Ukrajini je poginulo blizu pola miliona ruskih vojnika
- Danas — Potrošni: Obični ljudi koji obavljaju prljave poslove za Rusiju
- Avaz — Bivši ruski general poručio Putinu da je izgubio rat: "Nisi imao dovoljno pameti"
Earlier coverage
- Nov 12, 2026, 07:30 AM UTCLeaked registry data indicates nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine
- Nov 12, 2026, 01:30 AM UTCLeaked Rosstat mortality data points to massive Russian military casualties in Ukraine
- Nov 11, 2026, 07:00 PM UTCLeaked data and counter-intelligence reports highlight rising Russian military casualties
- Nov 11, 2026, 03:30 AM UTCLeaked statistics indicate nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine
- Nov 11, 2026, 01:00 AM UTCRetired Russian general states Putin has lost war in Ukraine
- Nov 10, 2026, 09:30 PM UTCLeaked data and official reports highlight rising Russian casualties and expanding logistics in Ukraine
- Nov 10, 2026, 01:00 PM UTCEuropean forces launch post-conflict Ukraine drills as E3 prepares for Abu Dhabi talks
- Nov 10, 2026, 09:30 AM UTCEuropean forces launch post-conflict Ukraine drills as E3 advisers prepare for Abu Dhabi talks
- Nov 10, 2026, 06:30 AM UTCEuropean powers prepare for post-conflict Ukraine with military drills and E3 diplomacy
- Nov 10, 2026, 03:30 AM UTCE3 powers to represent Europe in talks as regional post-conflict drills proceed