Mediazona, an independent Russian news outlet, has partnered with BBC Russia to compile statistics on the fallen soldiers of Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Their calculations suggest that the death toll has surpassed 300,000, excluding those who are injured or listed as missing. Ukrainian estimates indicate that the numbers could be even higher, highlighting the difficulty in obtaining an accurate assessment of casualties. Reporter Mika Golubovskij from Mediazona noted that the names of these deceased soldiers are frequently disappearing from public records, suggesting a deliberate strategy by authorities to obscure the true extent of losses.

The investigative efforts of Mediazona reveal that the fallen soldiers are being identified through unexpected sources, including a popular Russian reality TV show that captured a scene at a cemetery. The journalists work diligently to verify that these individuals are indeed deceased and include them in an open database. This approach not only substantiates their claims but also serves as a critique of the information scarcity surrounding military casualties.

Amidst these reports, there's a notable shift in the composition of Russian troops; the majority of soldiers engaging in the conflict are now volunteers who have signed contracts with the army. These enlistments seem to be motivated by a combination of economic incentives and personal choices, contributing to the evolving dynamics of Russia's military engagement in Ukraine. The increasing reliance on volunteers may signal a troubling trend regarding the government's ability to maintain conventional troop numbers amid mounting casualties.