Kremlin Spreads False Claim of 700,000 Ukrainian Military Casualties

Russian Propaganda Attempts to Inflate Ukrainian War Casualties Using Fake Chinese Source

Russian media outlets and Telegram channels have been actively circulating disinformation about Ukrainian military casualties, claiming that “more than 700,000 soldiers” have been lost since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion through the end of 2025. These reports allegedly cite the Chinese online platform Sohu as their source, but a fact-check reveals this information to be entirely fabricated.

The origin of this disinformation has been traced to an anonymous Chinese blogger using the pseudonym “Ling Bo Loves Life” (凌波爱生活). In a post designed to appear legitimate, the blogger makes unsubstantiated claims about heavy casualties among Ukraine’s International Legion, citing a supposed channel called “Tracking Nazi Mercenaries” as evidence. However, investigators have found no trace of such a channel on any social media platform, and no hyperlink or specific reference was provided in the original post.

When addressing the alleged Ukrainian military losses, the pseudo-blogger provides no official sources or credible documentation. Instead, the claims reference a purported charity campaign by Ukrainian telecommunications company Kyivstar that supposedly “confirms” the inflated casualty figures. Fact-checkers have confirmed no such campaign exists, revealing this to be a recycled piece of disinformation. Similar false claims circulated on Russian propaganda channels in 2023, then citing “400,000 killed soldiers”—suggesting a pattern of increasingly exaggerated figures.

This disinformation campaign represents a classic example of Russian propaganda tactics: using seemingly independent “foreign sources” to legitimize false narratives about Ukrainian losses. The strategy aims to create the impression that neutral international observers are confirming Russia’s claims, lending them an air of credibility particularly with Chinese audiences.

Intelligence experts note that such information warfare serves multiple strategic objectives. First, it attempts to demoralize Ukrainian military personnel and civilians by suggesting overwhelming and unsustainable losses. Second, it promotes a narrative about the supposed inevitability of Ukraine’s defeat to both domestic Russian and international audiences. Third, it specifically targets Chinese public opinion, possibly to strengthen Russia’s diplomatic position with Beijing.

These inflated casualty figures stand in stark contrast to official statements. President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that confirmed Ukrainian military deaths since Russia’s February 2022 invasion total approximately 55,000 personnel—a significant but far smaller number than Russian propaganda claims.

This is not an isolated incident in Russia’s disinformation campaign. Ukrinform previously reported on Russian propaganda efforts that involved distributing fake videos allegedly from British intelligence agency MI6, attempting to accuse Ukrainians abroad of “terrorism.”

Media analysts emphasize that such tactics have become increasingly sophisticated, often combining legitimate platforms, anonymous “foreign” sources, and recycled false claims to create layers of apparent credibility. The difficulty in tracking original sources and the speed at which such disinformation spreads across social media platforms makes debunking these claims challenging, particularly when they cross language barriers.

As the conflict continues, fact-checking organizations and media literacy experts recommend that readers maintain healthy skepticism toward casualty figures that lack official verification, especially those that appear on anonymous blogs or are circulated primarily through platforms known to amplify Russian state narratives.