In Russia, this uncertainty looms large as tens of thousands of soldiers remain unaccounted for after nearly three years of conflict in Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian media, Anna Tsivilyova, a cousin of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a deputy defense minister, recently acknowledged that 48,000 Russian soldiers are officially listed as missing.
She reportedly made the disclosure during a State Duma meeting in late November, stating her ministry has been overwhelmed with DNA testing requests from families desperate for answers.
In a surprising personal note, Tsivilyova added that her own DNA is stored in a national database to help identify the missing.
This was reported by L'Independent.
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A Glimpse Into Human Cost
This rare admission offers a glimpse into the human cost of Russia’s prolonged invasion of Ukraine. For a government that promised a quick and decisive victory, the numbers tell a much different story.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reports a staggering 748,950 Russian soldiers have been “eliminated.” This figure, though unverified, includes those killed, injured, or rendered unfit for combat.
Tsivilyova’s comments, while striking, only scratch the surface.
Missing soldiers don’t always mean dead soldiers, and some may still return. But her remarks highlight the growing toll this war is taking on Russian families.
The pressure on the Kremlin is undeniable. Tens of thousands of complaints and DNA inquiries suggest mounting frustration among citizens. Many want to know why the government remains silent about the losses and where their loved ones have gone.
Despite these calls for transparency, the Kremlin continues to tightly control casualty information.
Andrei Kartapolov, head of the State Duma’s Defense Committee, has stated that these statistics are “sensitive” and must remain classified. Such secrecy may shield officials, but it leaves families in the dark
