BBC Reveals Number of Foreigners Fighting for Russia Killed in Ukraine

BBC and Mediazona have identified the number of foreign citizens who died fighting on the Russian side in Ukraine. The investigation revealed that at least 3,589 foreign nationals have been killed since the invasion began.

The largest contingent of foreign casualties came from North Korea, with 2,304 individuals confirmed dead. The BBC service identified these individuals by cross-referencing satellite images with photographs of a new military memorial in Pyongyang. This meticulous identification process highlights the scale of foreign involvement and its tragic cost.

In addition to the North Korean casualties, another 1,285 fallen soldiers hailed from more than 40 different countries. This diverse group includes individuals from Cuba, Ecuador, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and the United States, underscoring the global reach of the conflict's mercenary and volunteer components. The combined list of identified fallen soldiers now stands at 233,033 names, reflecting the extensive human toll of the war.

The report utilized satellite imagery, which consists of photographs taken from Earth-orbiting satellites, to aid in identification. The article notes that a simplified, easy-to-read version was prepared using artificial intelligence. This text was created using an AI solution developed by scientists at Vytautas Magnus University in collaboration with the ELTA news agency and has been verified by an editor.