At Least 77 Russian Conscripts Killed During Ukraine Incursion in Kursk Region

At least 77 Russian conscript soldiers died along the border of the Kursk region during Ukraine's 2024 incursion, according to a joint investigation by iStories and Verstka. More than 30 other conscripts remain listed as missing. The deceased soldiers were between 18 and 25 years old, with the majority being 20 years old. The investigation found that 344 conscripts were stationed in the border area of the Kursk region in 2024. A significant number of these soldiers originated from the Komi Republic, with 42 of the 344 conscripts hailing from that region. Other contributing areas included Dagestan, Bashkortostan, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Altai Krai, Tyumen Oblast, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Krasnoyarsk Krai.

Sources indicate that conscripts made up between 50 percent and 85 percent of the personnel at some positions. Some soldiers were sent to the border starting in late March 2024. While some volunteered, others had relatives who attempted to prevent their deployment. In some instances, commanders helped soldiers hide their exact location from their families. At the 488th Regiment in Klintsy, Bryansk region, soldiers were told they would be stationed behind contract soldiers and border guards, though reports suggest conscripts often formed the majority of the force.

The Ukrainian project I Want to Live stated that approximately 500 conscript soldiers were involved in prisoner exchanges. By the second anniversary of the fighting, no conscripts captured in the Kursk region remained in captivity. Some of these exchanged soldiers were subsequently sent back to the border in the Bryansk region for over a month.

Separately, the Russian Investigative Committee reported that 640 civilians died and 561 were injured as a result of the Ukrainian incursion in August 2024. The committee estimated damages at 505 billion rubles and accused Ukrainian forces of mass murder, looting, and sexual violence.