A joint investigation by the BBC Russian Service, Mediazona, and volunteers has confirmed the deaths of over 128,000 Russian soldiers in Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, identifying names as of early September. This figure is based on obituaries, which do not represent the full death toll, and includes a growing number of volunteer fighters, alongside prisoners and mobilized soldiers. The investigation also noted that the share of volunteer fighters now make up the core of Russia’s offensive force in Ukraine. While Moscow and Kyiv rarely release official figures, independent estimates suggest the death toll may be significantly higher, and Russia continues to make advances in eastern Ukraine despite the losses.
Read More
Reports indicate that Colonel Sergei Ilyin, commander of the Pacific Fleet’s 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade, was killed in Ukraine during the special military operation. The independent Telegram news channel Astra reported this, citing a now-deleted post from officials in Ilyin’s hometown, which included his birth and death dates. Furthermore, on the same day, reports surfaced about the death of 11 senior Russian military officers, including Navy Deputy Commander Mikhail Gudkov, in a Ukrainian missile strike. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed Major General Gudkov’s death, but did not specify the cause or mention other reported casualties.
Read More
Breaking news confirms the death of Russian Navy Deputy Commander-in-Chief Mikhail Gudkov in the Kursk region during a combat mission near the Ukrainian border on July 2nd. While Ukrainian media initially reported his death in a HIMARS strike, both the Russian Ministry of Defence and the Governor of Primorye have now confirmed the loss. Gudkov, appointed to his position by President Putin in March 2025, previously led the 155th Separate Guards Brigade of the Pacific Fleet Naval Infantry.
Read More
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported twelve Indian nationals serving in the Russian Armed Forces have died, with sixteen more missing. Of 126 known cases of Indian nationals in the Russian military, 96 have been discharged and returned to India. The MEA is actively engaging with Russian authorities to locate the missing and repatriate the deceased’s remains. One death resulted from a reported drone attack, highlighting the dangers faced by these individuals, often recruited through deceptive means. India continues to balance its energy needs with the geopolitical implications of its oil purchases from Russia.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker