At least 400,000 Russian military personnel have already returned…
At least 400,000 Russian military personnel have already returned from the war.
Consensus
- At least 400,000 military personnel have returned from the war in Ukraine according to independent analysis.
- The Russian government has not disclosed accurate data on the number of returning soldiers.
- Official figures cited by state sources include 167,000 veterans who received documentation through the 'Zashchitniki Otechestva' fund.
- There is a discrepancy between official numbers and independent estimates regarding the scale of returnees.
Points of divergence
- Experts consulted by Novaya-Eu estimate the lower bound at 400,000 returning military personnel, with an upper limit up to 800,000. — tg_theinsider
- Sergei Novikov mentioned two figures: 167,000 who applied to the 'Zashchitniki Otechnstva' fund and 250,000 who did not apply but are considered returnees; summing them gives 417,000. — novaya_eu
- Dmitry Medvedev claimed that over 2.5 million people were mobilized or enlisted in the war effort since 2022, including 185,000 from the initial invasion force and 422,700 recruited last year alone. — novaya_eu
- Economist Yanis Klyuge and 'Vazhnye Istoriya' estimate that over 1.2 million contracts were signed between Q4 2022 and Q1 2026. — novaya_eu
Coverage (2 sources)
- At least 400,000 Russian soldiers have already returned from the war; exact number remains hidden — The Insider
- Invisible Veterans: At least 400,000 military personnel returned from the front after the war began; the state hides their exact number — Новая газета Европа