War in Ukraine: in Russia, the taboo on the figures of the dead

Mouth shut. For more than a year, the Russian government has not published official data on human losses related to the conflict in Ukraine. To know the extent of the damage, we must rely on Western intelligence. According to their latest estimates, about 200,000 Russian soldiers have died or become disabled. On the Ukrainian side, the balance would be half as much. The latest data, reported at the end of March 2022 by the Russian Ministry of Defense, exceeds all measures: 1351 dead and 3825 wounded.

The death toll on the Russian side has become “taboo,” says Galiya Akerman, editor-in-chief of the Desk Russia website. For what ? First, the expert says, we must not demotivate the troops that are still at the front. Another reason: “the fear of population movement, even if it seems unfounded, given the state of political control,” deciphers Nicolas Tenzer, professor of science at. This international affairs specialist also points out “a discrepancy between the results of the Russian army on the ground and the figures given.” “If you don’t know the death toll, you can’t comment much,” continues Galia Akerman.

“Dead soldiers are considered heroes”

The general figure is hidden. Not stories about fallen soldiers. “They are all heroes,” the journalist analyzes, recalling Vladimir Putin’s desire to create 200 museums dedicated to the Russian offensive. In the regional media, small notes written in the rules of military censorship flash daily to pay tribute to the combatants. Outside the big cities, the death of a local child never goes unnoticed.

On May 12, 2023, for example, the burial of 26-year-old Maxim Martyanov in his hometown of Yaroslav, 260 km north of Moscow, prompted the publication of an article in the 76.ru media about his death on April 28. “in the area of ​​the special military operation.” Irony between the lines? The author of the article continues: “In the meantime, the region continues to actively recruit those wishing to participate. »