The name of the killed combatant from the Volgograd region has been announced.

18-year-old Vadim Artemenko from the Zhirnovsky District was killed in combat. Since the beginning of the Russian operation in Ukraine, authorities have officially acknowledged at least 1,613 servicemen from the Volgograd Region killed there.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," by January 7, authorities and security forces had named at least 1,612 soldiers from the Volgograd Region killed in Ukraine. On December 23, the Zhirnovsky District administration reported that Igor Pankratov, a contract soldier from Zhirnovsk, had been killed in combat.

The name of the next serviceman killed in Ukraine was released by the Zhirnovsky District administration, announcing his funeral. The deceased is Vadim Artemenko, born in 2007. The funeral will take place in Zhirnovsk today, January 8th.

Artemenko did not turn 18 until May 24, 2025. Officials did not provide details about his biography. In December 2025 alone, the Zhirnovsk district administration reported at least four fellow countrymen killed in Ukraine.

Thus, at least 1,613 fighters from the Volgograd region have been officially recognized as killed in Ukraine. "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 a "Caucasian Knot" report, "Northern Military District Statistics: Losses Are Growing in Southern Russia."

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that 18-year-old Said Murtazaliev from Dagestan was tortured by security forces in the Moscow region to sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense. In the combat zone, commanders forced him to collect money, after which the young man was declared missing. "I myself was sent to the assault, where comrade 'Spartak' said that an order had been received to erase me," Murtazaliev said in his last video message sent to his mother.

Before the first interrogation, police officers are required to explain to all detainees between the ages of 18 and 65 that they can avoid prosecution by signing a military contract. If the person actually signs one, the officers are paid extra. According to Said's mother, Leila Nakhshunova, she was informed of her son's death unofficially.