Three contract soldiers from Kalmykia were killed in combat.

Vasily Kazantsev, Andrey Zaika and Baatr Tyurbeev from the Oktyabrsky district were killed in combat operations in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the military operation, at least 220 fighters from Kalmykia have been recognized as killed in it.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," by February 26, at least 217 fighters from Kalmykia were officially recognized as killed in the military operation.

06:01 March 5, 2026

Losses in southern Russia in Ukraine exceed 8,800

At least 4,326 servicemen from the North Caucasus Federal District and 4,478 from the Southern Federal District have been killed in combat in Ukraine, according to official reports from administrations and security agencies.

Vasily Kazantsev, Andrei Zaika, and Baatr Tyurbeyev were killed in the military operation, and their families received awards, the administration of the Oktyabrsky District of Kalmykia reported on its Telegram channel.

Vasily Kazantsev signed a contract in May 2024 and was sent to the military operation zone with the rank of junior sergeant. "In October 2024, the evacuation team Vasily served with came under artillery fire, resulting in his fatal injury," district authorities reported.

Andrei Zaika was born in 1985 and signed a contract in December 2024. He died in March 2025.

Baatr Tyurbeyev, born in 1970, ended up "in a remote place" after finishing school and "spent half his life there," the publication notes. At the end of 2024, he went to the North Caucasus Military District and was killed in February 2025, the administration reported.

Thus, at least 220 fighters from Kalmykia have been officially recognized as killed in the military operation.

The "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 law enforcement agencies, according to the Caucasian Knot report "Northern Military District Statistics: Casualties 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 Denying Benefits to Families of Killed Volunteers," which describes the stories of the slain soldiers. "He participated in combat operations for many years and holds two Orders of Courage. But no official honors were bestowed upon his family," a relative of one of the soldiers said.