In the second 12 months on the front line the body count was nearly 25% higher than in the first year.

Russia’s military death toll in Ukraine has now passed the 50,000 mark - the BBC can confirm.

In the second 12 months on the front line - as Moscow pushed its so-called meat grinder strategy - we found the body count was nearly 25% higher than in the first year.

BBC Russian, independent media group Mediazona and volunteers have been counting deaths since February 2022.

New graves in cemeteries helped provide the names of many soldiers.

Our teams also combed through open-source information from official reports, newspapers and social media.

More than 27,300 Russian soldiers died in the second year of combat - according to our findings - a reflection of how territorial gains have come at a huge human cost.

Russia has declined to comment.

  • nevemsenki@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    7 months ago

    And if Ukraine is not getting enough aid soon, all those dead will be worth it for russians as they annex (a good portion of) Ukraine.

    • NIB@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      7 months ago

      This number is “verified dead”. Obviously, the real number will be higher. Both sides have similar casualties, Ukraine has a few less(defender’s advantage) but ultimately it doesnt matter.

      • Morgoon@startrek.websiteEnglish
        0·
        7 months ago

        Ukraine has been was on the counter offensive since in June

        “Russia had begun preparing for the counteroffensive since November 2022 and had created extensive defensive infrastructure, including ditches, trenches, artillery positions, and landmines intended to slow down the counteroffensive.”

        Russia has had the defenders advantage since

        • kiagam@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0·
          7 months ago

          If you think Ukraine is in an offensive, you are very behind on the news. Russia has been slowly pushing Ukraine on all fronts and Ukraine has gained no ground in months. anything they got was already retaken by Russia. Ukraine is on the backfoot and being beaten back even worse after the ammo shortage

          • baru@lemmy.worldEnglish
            0·
            7 months ago

            Agreed, Russia has been building defensive structures since years. Ukraine way less so unfortunately.

            Ukraine is on the backfoot and being beaten back even worse after the ammo shortage

            Thanks to Republicans. Who one year ago said they’d fully support Ukraine. Then they got new orders. I’ve saw loads of Republican voters say that the party is fully behind Ukraine. They now argue differently.

      • Skua@kbin.social
        0·
        7 months ago

        Exactly. This number is the floor of the possible range, not the actual estimated number