Russian army casualties—killed and wounded—could reach 2.1 million, - Economist
The total losses of the Russian army in the war against Ukraine, including military personnel killed and wounded, may range from 1.4 to 2.1 million people.
According to Censor.NET, The Economist reports on this, citing a study.
According to the publication's estimates, the number of Russian soldiers killed could reach 770,000.
According to estimates, since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia may have lost:
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between 374,000 and 770,000 military personnel killed;
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A total of 1.4 to 2.1 million military personnel killed and wounded.
How the Russian Army's Casualties Mounted
The publication compared the new estimates with previous figures:
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July 2025: 190,000–350,000 dead; 900,000–1.3 million total casualties.
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May 2026: 280,000–518,000 dead, 1.1–1.5 million total casualties.
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October 2026: 374,000–770,000 dead, 1.4–2.1 million total casualties.
Thus, since May alone, the lower estimate of the death toll has risen by 94,000, and the upper estimate by 252,000.
How The Economist assesses Russia’s losses
Since Russia does not publish reliable official data on its military casualties, The Economist uses a statistical model. It combines estimates from Western intelligence agencies, defense departments, and independent researchers.
The results are also compared with our own monitoring of the war, which takes into account the intensity of hostilities and changes along the front lines.
The publication also notes that Ukrainian drones were responsible for a significant portion of the Russian army’s losses in 2026.
