Record losses of the Russian Federation at the front: up to 352 thousand dead according to BBC data.

According to ТСН: While politicians discuss the possibility of peace, record losses of the Russian army have been recorded at the front. Journalists have investigated obituaries and cemetery data, concluding that the Kremlin deliberately sends thousands of soldiers to their deaths to strengthen its negotiating position. This leads to the highest losses since the beginning of the war.

This information comes from a BBC investigation.

Real casualty figures

Journalists have confirmed the death of almost 160,000 Russian soldiers.

However, this is only part of the truth. According to expert estimates, confirmed data accounts for only 45-65% of the real figure.

• Real number of dead Russians: from 243,000 to 352,000 people.

• Total losses (killed and wounded): according to NATO, this figure reaches 1.1 million.

For comparison, the BBC estimates the number of dead Ukrainian soldiers at 140,000 (in February 2025, President Zelensky indicated the figure of 46,000).

The Trump factor and 'meat assaults'

The analysis indicates a direct correlation between diplomatic events and the number of obituaries in Russia.

In November 2025, when the United States presented its peace plan, an average of 322 obituaries were recorded daily in Russia - double the average rate of 2024.

The Kremlin considers territorial gains a major asset in negotiations with the United States, thus disregarding human losses.

The story of an 'optimist' who died in vain

The investigation recounts the story of Murat Mukashev - a Russian activist who opposed Putin and ended up in prison due to a fabricated drug case.

Initially, he didn’t want to go to war. But in November 2024, hearing Trump's promises to 'quickly end the war', Mukashev signed a contract, hoping for a swift peace agreement.

‘He saw this as a chance to get out instead of 10 years in strict regime,’ his friends note.

But the bet on a quick peace cost him his life: Mukashev died in an assault unit in Kharkiv Oblast in June 2025.

Who is currently fighting for the Russian Federation

The image of the Russian soldier has changed. If a year ago 'volunteers' accounted for 15% of the dead, by 2025 it was already every third.

Russia is avoiding mass mobilization, luring people to the front with large sums of money (up to 10 million rubles a year) and pressure on debtors. According to official data, in 2025, contracts were signed by 336,000 Russians. This allows the Kremlin to replenish its ranks faster than the Ukrainian Armed Forces can eliminate them.

It should be noted that The Economist has provided an estimate of Russian losses in the war against Ukraine, highlighting how the slow advance on the battlefield and significant losses affect the course of the conflict.

This data indicates how the war continues, filled with casualties on both sides. At the same time, efforts for a diplomatic resolution of the conflict continue against the backdrop of a wave of new losses. This underscores the critical importance of the obtained figures for understanding the scale and consequences of the war.