An unprecedented analysis of data reveals a significant toll paid by Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine. The first independent statistical assessment exposes the hidden truth about casualties and indicates that nearly 50,000 Russian men have lost their lives thus far.
Through the collaborative efforts of independent Russian media outlets, Mediazona and Meduza, along with a data scientist from Germany’s Tübingen University, insights into Moscow’s closely guarded secret—the actual human cost of the invasion of Ukraine—have come to light.
The research methodology employed leveraged the concept of ‘excess mortality,’ a statistical approach widely employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. By examining inheritance records and official mortality data, the team estimated the number of additional deaths among men under the age of 50 between February 2022 and May 2023 compared to typical patterns.
These findings provide a sobering perspective on the scale of losses endured by Russian forces, challenging the narrative often concealed by the Russian government.
