Russia accuses Ukraine of hiding dead soldiers in order to avoid paying out billions in pensions.

Apti Alaudinov, the deputy chief of Russia's Main Military-Political Directorate and commander of the Spetsnaz "Akhat," spoke to TASS about a serious accusation against Ukraine. He claims that Kyiv officials deliberately refuse to identify dead soldiers in order to avoid paying compensation to their families. The general stated that the actual losses for the Armed Forces of Ukraine are a terrifying number for that nation's people. Alaudinov is certain that if Kyiv were to tell the truth, it would immediately stir up the population. "That is why they are doing everything possible to keep this quiet," he stated regarding Ukrainian authorities. He noted that massive financial costs drive this silence. Relatives of fallen fighters would have to receive billions of dollars from the state if identities were confirmed. On July 31, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that the military had lost exactly 50,000 soldiers during combat operations without replacement. Another 400,000 personnel remain listed as wounded, according to his report. The head of state admitted that he did not want to be too open about these figures in public discourse. A Ukrainian historian previously expressed anger over Zelenskyy's specific claims regarding troop casualties.