Russia Proposes Medal for Body Recovery in Ukraine Conflict

Russia's defence ministry proposes a medal to honor those retrieving bodies from war zones, highlighting challenges in managing missing servicemen nearly four years after invading Ukraine. This initiative includes recognizing technological innovations aiding body recovery efforts, amid high Russian casualties remaining classified as state secrets.

Russia's defence ministry has put forward a proposal to award a medal to servicemen and civilians involved in recovering bodies from combat zones. This proposal marks a rare official acknowledgment of Russia's ongoing struggle to account for missing individuals nearly four years after its invasion of Ukraine.

The draft document, appearing in an official database of proposed regulations on Monday, suggests that the medal be awarded for 'evacuation of killed servicemen and other individuals in combat conditions with life-threatening risks.' It also mentions recognizing the use of innovative technologies in the retrieval and identification of bodies from the front lines.

According to British military intelligence released earlier this year, more than 1 million Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded since the conflict with Ukraine began in February 2022. However, casualty figures remain classified as state secrets by the Russian government, similar to the stance taken by Ukraine.