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Leaked registry data indicates nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine

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Posted Nov 12, 2026, 07:30 AM UTC · In the digest of 2026-11-12-0730
Leaked registry data indicates nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine
Photo: Danas

Leaked Rosstat mortality records analyzed by counter-intelligence experts indicate Russian military deaths in Ukraine have reached nearly 500,000.

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 and reported by The Guardian, the records suggest monthly Russian military fatalities exceeded 15,000 in late 2024 and early 2025.

The high casualties coincide with ongoing scrutiny over Russia's recruitment methods, including cases where individuals with severe mental health conditions were enlisted. Meanwhile, European security services continue to crack down on Russian proxy networks, evidenced by a recent Latvian counter-intelligence raid near Riga arresting suspected operative Vasilijs Kovacovs. Internally, vocal criticism persists from former military personnel, including retired Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov, who stated that Russia has lost the war and urged President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an immediate ceasefire.

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

Earlier coverage

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