At least 6,083 Russian soldiers from elite military units have been confirmed killed in action since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, according to BBC Russian Service on January 10.
The fatalities include paratroopers, naval infantry, special forces operatives, and military pilots—some of the most highly trained personnel in Russia’s armed forces.
Paratroopers, naval infantry, and GRU special forces units suffered losses in the war’s early months as they spearheaded key operations.
These elite troops were later pulled back to regroup, leaving much of the frontline fighting to newly mobilized soldiers, volunteers, and convicts, the report notes.
By September 2022, the deaths of 900 soldiers from elite units were confirmed. This figure has since surged nearly sevenfold, surpassing 6,000 by early 2025.
3,957 casualties were reported from airborne forces, including 3,240 professional paratroopers and 654 officers. The renowned 331st Guards Paratrooper Regiment from Kostroma has 237 confirmed deaths, including its commander.
Russia’s naval infantry lost 1,247 personnel, including 214 officers. When including mobilized troops, volunteers, and convicts attached to these units, the total rises to 1,685 deaths.
GRU special forces have seen 580 confirmed deaths, 108 of them officers. The 24th Guards Special Forces Brigade has the most significant losses, with at least 80 fatalities, including 10 officers and a lieutenant colonel.
Among Russian military pilots, there have been 267 deaths reported. Training of pilots can take 15–17 years and cost up to $14 million per pilot. The average age of killed in action pilots is 40, with some veterans over 55 years old deployed due to a shortage of experienced younger personnel. Among them was retired Major General Kanamat Botashev, 63, who was killed while flying a mission for the Wagner Group.
Earlier, journalists identified 88,055 confirmed Russian military fatalities in Ukraine, including 4,595 officers. Losses among personnel from the Federal Security Service and Federal Protective Service have also been recorded, with 114 confirmed deaths.
