BBC and Mediazona confirm 258,989 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine

September 22, 2026 at 03:34 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

At least 258,989 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine since the start of the war, according to an updated list published by BBC Russian Service and Mediazona on Tuesday, September 22. The list includes 17 generals and nearly 7,700 officers. The compilers say the true number of mobilized soldiers killed is significantly higher than the 20,500 confirmed.

Key Facts

The updated list published on September 22 confirms the deaths of at least 258,989 Russian soldiers since the start of the war.
The list includes 17 generals: five lieutenant generals, nine major generals, two retired generals, and one general of Ukraine's SBU who fled to Russia.
Nearly 7,700 officers of the Russian army and other security forces are confirmed dead.
The average age of the killed soldiers is 37.8 years.
The compilers consider the data on 20,500 mobilized soldiers killed to be significantly understated.

Casualty Count

The updated list published on September 22 confirms the deaths of at least 258,989 Russian soldiers since the start of the war. The list includes 17 generals: five lieutenant generals, nine major generals, two retired generals, and one general of Ukraine's SBU who fled to Russia. Nearly 7,700 officers of the Russian army and other security forces are confirmed dead. The average age of the killed soldiers is 37.8 years.

Data Limitations

The compilers consider the data on 20,500 mobilized soldiers killed to be significantly understated. The list is not complete because not all information about military deaths is publicly available. BBC Russian Service and Mediazona have been counting reports of Russian military deaths in media, social networks, and government websites since the first day of the invasion in February 2022.

NATO Assessment

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said earlier that more than 40,000 Russian soldiers are killed or seriously wounded at the front every month, according to NATO estimates.