Russian regional court websites have systematically removed tens of thousands of case records related to missing or deceased persons, significantly hindering the ability to estimate Russia’s military casualties in Ukraine. This action, uncovered by Mediazona, has resulted in the disappearance of roughly 70,000 court case cards tied to missing-person claims from public databases. These records, crucial for independent analysts to assess battlefield losses, have been a reliable indirect indicator of casualties, especially as official figures remain classified. The removal of these records blocks the independent verification of casualty trends, coinciding with persistent high casualty rates since the start of the full-scale invasion.
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Four U.S. Army soldiers remain missing after their 70-ton M88 Hercules recovery vehicle submerged in a Lithuanian bog during a training mission. Despite challenging conditions, including saturated ground and slow drainage, rescue efforts continue with heavy equipment and expert assistance from Lithuania, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Poland. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed hope for a miracle, while U.S. Army officials emphasized their commitment to recovering the soldiers. The recovery operation is expected to be lengthy and complex.
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President Trump’s claim of ignorance regarding four missing U.S. soldiers in Lithuania, despite ongoing search efforts, sparked widespread outrage. This follows a similar incident involving his apparent unawareness of the “Signalgate” security breach. Critics highlighted this as further evidence of his detachment from critical national security issues and the administration’s functioning. The soldiers went missing during a training exercise, and NATO initially mistakenly reported their deaths. The White House has been contacted for comment.
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A leaked video shows Anna Tsivilyova, reportedly a relative of Vladimir Putin, stating that 48,000 relatives have contacted the Ministry of Internal Affairs for DNA assistance in identifying missing soldiers. This figure, quickly cautioned against by Defence Committee chief Andrei Kartapolov as sensitive and confidential, offers a potential indication of the scale of Russian military losses in Ukraine. Tsivilyova later clarified that the number reflected applications, not necessarily the number of missing soldiers. The incident highlights the secrecy surrounding Russia’s casualty figures in the ongoing conflict.
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John Q. Hosedrinker