Thousands of kilometers from the front, new cemeteries are growing. We know the numbers of the fallen that Russia remains silent about.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in significant Russian military casualties, with estimates suggesting over 283,000 deaths. Reports indicate that Russia is establishing new cemeteries due to the high number of fatalities, particularly in regions with higher poverty rates. The typical fallen soldier is now often a middle-aged man with no prior military experience. The war has exacerbated social inequalities, as poorer families are more likely to send members to fight for financial reasons. Official casualty figures are scarce, making independent verification challenging, but the toll continues to rise, with predictions that 2026 could be the deadliest year yet.