**Russia’s War Dead: A Hidden Toll**
The war in Ukraine has entered its fourth year, and the number of Russian military deaths is staggering. According to data analyzed by the BBC, over 95,000 people have died fighting for Russia since February 2022.
This figure does not include those who were killed serving in the militia of the self-proclaimed Donbas republics, which are estimated to be between 21,000 and 23,500 fighters. The real death toll is believed to be much higher.
**A Systematic Drafting of Civilians**
The Russian military has been drafting civilians on a large scale, often inadequately trained and poorly equipped. This has resulted in a high number of dead and missing soldiers. Many of these individuals were forcibly mobilized from the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics.
One such example is Daniil Dudnikov, a 21-year-old history student who was drafted on the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He went missing in action just a month later, and it was only through a prisoner exchange that his family found out he had been killed in combat.
**Convicts in Combat**
Another significant part of Russian losses are convicts recruited from prisons to fight in the war. The BBC has identified 16,171 convicted criminals who were recruited from penal colonies to fight for Russia. This number is likely much higher, with estimates suggesting that prisoners may make up as much as a third of Russia’s military fatalities over the three years of the invasion.
**A War Few Can See**
The impact of the war on Russian society is complex and multifaceted. While some segments of society are disconnected from the war, others are deeply affected. The Kremlin has designed the recruitment process to keep losses hidden from the public eye, ensuring that only a few have direct exposure to the war.
**Counting the Dead**
Russia’s actual losses are likely much higher than open-source data can reveal. Military analysts estimate that the BBC’s research captures only 45% to 65% of total casualties. If this is true, the true number of Russian military deaths could range from 146,194 to 211,169.
**A Hidden Toll**
The war in Ukraine has been marked by a hidden toll on both sides. While Russia has reported fewer than 6,000 deaths, estimates suggest that over 95,000 people have died fighting for the country. The Ukrainian casualty list is more complete, with over 70,400 surnames of soldiers listed.
As the war approaches its fourth year, global attention has shifted to new U.S. administration’s push for peace negotiations. The true cost of the conflict remains hidden from public view, but one thing is certain – it will take years to rebuild and recover from this devastating war.