Two soldiers from the Astrakhan region were killed in a military operation.

Nikita Karnilov and Zhumabay Utegenov were killed in combat in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the military operation, at least 666 soldiers from the Astrakhan region have been recognized as killed in it.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," by December 24, at least 664 soldiers from the Astrakhan region were officially recognized as killed in the military operation.

07:36 26.12.2025

The number of fighters from southern Russia killed in Ukraine has exceeded 8,350

At least 4,117 fighters from the North Caucasus Federal District and 4,239 from the Southern Federal District have been officially recognized as killed in the military operation in Ukraine.

Nikita Karnilov and Zhumabay Utegenov were killed in the military operation, the Volodarsky District Administration reported on its Telegram channel on December 26.

"Karnilov Nikita Igorevich was born on February 24, 2002, in the village of Volodarsky. He attended the Volodarsky Secondary Comprehensive School. No. 2. […] In November 2024, he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense, deploying to a special military operation zone. Nikita Igorevich served as a rifleman-sapper in the first assault company of the 228th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 90th Tank Division," the publication states.

Zhumabay Utegenov was born in 1989 in the village of Sorochye. After serving in the army, he worked as a fisherman. He deployed to the military operation zone on March 2, 2025, and was killed two weeks later, on March 17, according to district authorities.

Thus, at least 666 soldiers from the Astrakhan region have been officially recognized as killed in the military operation. "Caucasian Knot" maintains a list of names of natives of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal Districts killed in the military operation. The list was compiled based on data officially released by government officials and security agencies, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Northern Military District Statistics: Losses Are Mounting in Southern Russia."

State awards, memorial plaques, and appearances on Channel One do not guarantee state support for the families of those killed, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Three Comrades Served: How Authorities Are Depriving Families of Killed Volunteers of Benefits," which describes the stories of fighters from other regions.