Belarusians are massing into the Russian army: every fifth does not return.

According to inkorr.com: The number of Belarusian citizens signing contracts for service in the Russian army is increasing. This was revealed by journalists from 'Sledstvo.Info', the 'Belarusian Investigative Center', and activists from KibOrg, according to 'Glavkom'.

Contract Statistics

According to the data received, from 2022 to 2025, 1031 Belarusians became soldiers in Russia. The number of contracts signed has been growing every year: from six in 2022 to 157 in the first six months of 2025.

• In 2022, only 6 Belarusians signed contracts;
• In 2023, their number increased to 235;
• In 2024 – to 518;
• In the first six months of 2025 – 157.

Expenses and Risks

According to the 'I Want to Live' project, in the first half of 2025, 596 Belarusians signed contracts, which is almost 100 times more than in 2022. The losses among them are also significant: more than 10% have died, and 8% are considered missing.

Among the Belarusian military who joined the Russian army, almost every fifth has not returned. Experts draw attention to the spread of hepatitis B and C and HIV at the front in Ukraine. Despite an order prohibiting soldiers with confirmed diagnoses from being on the front line, many continue to fight.

Overall, the signing of contracts by Belarusians for service in the Russian army has noticeably increased in recent years, and serious risks to their health and lives are arising.

This situation has caused alarm among experts and human rights defenders, who note that this trend may indicate an increasing military integration of Belarus into the conflict in Ukraine. This not only jeopardizes the lives of Belarusian citizens but could also have long-term consequences for stability in the region.