A recent leak of Russian medical death certificates has revealed that at least five Tunisian men died fighting on the Ukrainian front for Russia. The documents, obtained by hackers and examined by Inkyfada, cover a period from February 24, 2022, to August 28, 2026. The certificates provide details on the men's deaths, including dates, locations, and causes. According to the data, the men were born in Tunisia and died between June 2024 and January 2026.
The five Tunisian men were declared dead in various locations in Ukraine, including Stepova Novoselivka, Stavki, and Otradnoïe. Four of the certificates list the cause of death as "war operations," while the fifth describes a shrapnel wound. The documents also reveal that the men were residents in different Russian regions, including Voronej, Belgorod, and Smolensk. Inkyfada was able to verify the identities of some of the men through additional documents and sources.
One of the men, identified as A., was declared dead on January 29, 2026, at the age of 26. His family had received a voice message from him on January 7, 2026, stating that he was in a location without network coverage and that the situation was not good. However, they have not received any official notification of his death from either Russian or Tunisian authorities. A.'s family continues to hope that he is only missing.
Another man, M. S., was reported missing by his family in November 2025. According to the leaked documents, he died on November 3, 2025, at the age of 25, in Stavki, Ukraine. M. S. had been convicted of a crime in Russia and had signed a contract with the Russian military in August 2025. His family has not received a death certificate, but the leaked documents provide confirmation of his death.
A third man, Z. B., was confirmed to have died on August 19, 2025, at the age of 38. His wife obtained a death certificate from the military unit where he served. Inkyfada obtained the death certificate and several military documents, which confirm Z. B.'s identity and details of his military service. Z. B. had been living in Russia since 2020 and had announced to his father that he was recruited in exchange for Russian citizenship.
The Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been informed of the disappearances of some of the men, but has not provided their families with any updates on their status. The families of the deceased men continue to seek answers and confirmation of their loved ones' fate. According to Mohamed Iqbal Ben Rejeb, president of the Association for the Rescue of Tunisians Stranded Abroad, some families have been misled by authorities about the status of their relatives.
The leak of the Russian medical death certificates provides a rare glimpse into the human cost of Russia's military involvement in Ukraine. The documents reveal that a total of 11,335 people born outside of Russia, from nearly 100 countries, have died fighting for Russia in Ukraine. The number of deaths has increased significantly over the past few years, from 630 in 2022 to over 5,500 in 2025.
Key points
- At least five Tunisian men have been reported dead on the Ukrainian front after being recruited by Russia.
- The leaked documents provide details on the men's deaths, including dates, locations, and causes.
- The families of the deceased men continue to seek answers and confirmation of their loved ones' fate.
