Hackers from Belarus and Ukraine obtained records from Rosstat, Russia’s state statistics agency, revealing casualty figures from the conflict in Ukraine. The leaked data indicates approximately 450,000 Russian deaths through August, with the documents listing roughly 410,000 directly war-related deaths and 42,000 additional fighting-age men confirmed dead in court proceedings due to unrecovered bodies. Financial Times analysis identified an additional 12,000 likely military deaths, bringing the estimated total to at least 450,000. Rosstat acknowledged cyberattacks on its network between October 29 and November 1 but stated no evidence of database compromise or data theft was found. Moscow has not officially released its military casualty figures.
Geographic analysis of the leaked records shows concentrated casualties in major battleground areas. Approximately 120,000 deaths were recorded in regions containing Avdiivka and Pokrovsk in Donetsk, with 48,000 deaths documented in Bakhmut. These cities were sites of prolonged fighting during the conflict, with Avdiivka falling to Russian forces in 2024 and Pokrovsk captured in early 2026 after extended combat operations.
Demographic patterns in the casualty data reveal notable shifts in the composition of forces. The average age of deceased personnel increased from 34 years in the war’s initial phase to 40 years in 2025, with men aged 35 to 44 representing the largest casualty group at 158,000 deaths. Casualty rates were disproportionately high in regions with significant minority populations, including Zabaykalsky Krai and Bashkortostan, which together recorded over 28,000 deaths.
The records document deaths among foreign nationals fighting for Russian forces, with identified foreign casualties totaling at least 4,141 individuals, though estimates using broader definitions reach as high as 11,335. Deaths of foreign fighters increased substantially over time, rising from approximately 630 in 2022 to over 5,500 in 2025. Nations with significant representation among foreign casualties included Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Nepal, and Colombia, with African nationals making up a growing share of foreign deaths since 2025. Reports indicate foreign recruitment often involved misleading job advertisements and deceptive practices targeting citizens from multiple countries.
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