Distorted Figures on Ukrainian Military Casualties
Russian propagandists are circulating claims that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have suffered 2.4 million dead and missing service members. The Center for Countering Disinformation, operating under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, has rejected this narrative as a fabrication and an extension of Moscow’s ongoing disinformation campaign. This is part of a broader pattern where Russia seeks to undermine confidence in Ukraine’s defense efforts.
The propagandists allege that Russian hackers breached databases of Ukraine’s General Staff, military recruitment centers, and medical facilities to obtain these figures. However, the Center for Countering Disinformation points out that the numbers cited by Russia exceed the total personnel strength of the entire Ukrainian army.
“In reality, such statements are pure fiction. The ‘loss figures’ cited by Russians surpass the total size of the Ukrainian armed forces,” the Center for Countering Disinformation stated.
Disinformation Campaign and Its Consequences
This latest claim about fallen and missing defenders is a continuation of a long-running disinformation effort. Previously, Russian propagandists actively promoted a false narrative about 1.7 million Ukrainian losses. Experts say the goal of these fabrications is to divert the Russian public’s attention away from the actual casualties suffered by the Russian military.
According to Russia’s Ministry of Finance, the Russian army signed 71,216 new contracts in the first quarter of 2026, indicating a steady recruitment drive. Yet regional budget payments suggest roughly 9,000 Russian soldiers are being killed per month—or 300 per day. This has raised concerns, as across Russia there has been a notable decline in the number of people willing to join the occupying forces.
Consequently, the claim of 2.4 million Ukrainian dead and missing is yet another manipulative ploy with no factual basis.
This situation highlights not only the scale of the disinformation campaign waged by the Russian Federation but also the critical need for effective responses to such information attacks. Rebutting false data is an essential step in the fight for truth and in maintaining the morale of Ukrainian society and its military. In wartime, information manipulation can have severe repercussions, making critical news consumption a vital task for every citizen.
The spread of disinformation regarding military losses is not limited to Ukraine, as investigative journalists have uncovered substantial evidence about the true toll on Russian forces. Reports indicate that over 226,000 Russian soldiers have been identified as killed in the ongoing conflict. Understanding the actual impact of the war on both sides is essential for grasping the broader context of these narratives. For more details, see how these figures were established in our report on Russian military casualties.