**Russian Military Concealing True Scale of Battlefield Losses**
A shocking investigation by Russian independent outlet IStories has revealed that military commanders are labeling missing soldiers as deserters to obscure the true scale of battlefield losses. This practice not only conceals Russia’s actual war losses but also denies families of deceased soldiers their rightful social benefits.
According to IStories, which received over 50 complaints from relatives of missing soldiers sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s administration, similar falsifications have been found in at least 25 units across 11 Russian regions. In most cases, these falsified documents claim that the soldiers went missing during combat missions. However, simply missing a duty call can result in a wrongful “deserter” designation.
**Concealing Losses and Denying Benefits**
By labeling missing soldiers as deserters, Russia is able to avoid paying social benefits to the families of the deceased. This is particularly concerning given Ukraine’s estimate that Russia’s overall casualties during the full-scale war have surpassed 1 million. Moscow and Kyiv rarely officially report their losses, making it difficult to verify these figures.
**Widespread Problem**
IStories’ investigation found a disturbing pattern of falsifications across Russian military units. In one case, a soldier was still officially labeled a deserter even after his death and burial. This practice is not only morally reprehensible but also highlights the systemic issues within Russia’s military system.
**Rise in Desertion Cases**
The number of desertion cases has surged in recent years. Between January and June 2025, Russian military courts processed over 26,000 cases seeking to declare individuals missing or deceased, surpassing the total for all of the previous year, according to Mediazona. In 2024 alone, around 50,500 Russian soldiers were officially recorded as deserters.
**Estimated Losses**
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, previously identified nearly 120,000 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine. However, the actual figure could be higher. Ukraine’s General Staff reported on July 28 that Russian military losses reached around 1,050,250 personnel, including those killed, wounded, and missing.
**Commentary**
This investigation highlights the desperation and dishonesty of Russia’s military commanders as they struggle to conceal the true scale of battlefield losses. By labeling missing soldiers as deserters, Russia is able to avoid paying social benefits to families of the deceased and maintain a façade of control over the war. However, this practice ultimately undermines trust in Russia’s military system and exposes the government’s lack of transparency.
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