Putin Relative Reveals Russia's War Casualty Data

Anna Tsivilyova, a deputy defense minister and relative of Vladimir Putin, inadvertently revealed that the Russian government has received 48,000 DNA requests from families seeking to identify missing soldiers in Ukraine. This disclosure occurred during a live parliamentary session, prompting Andrei Kartapolov, head of the defense committee, to ask that the figure not be shared publicly, citing its classification. The Russian government has been secretive about its military casualties, with Western intelligence estimating over 700,000 dead or injured since the war began. Tsivilyova attempted to clarify that she was referencing requests rather than confirmed casualties. The exchange highlights the ongoing challenge Russia faces in maintaining control over information regarding military losses in the conflict. Despite the slip-up, the video was later removed from government websites but circulated widely on social media.