Gyroscopic Investing

I was more curious about the salary stats.

dualstow wrote: ↑Fri May 02, 2025 3:15 pm I was more curious about the salary stats.

But doesn't it call into question the 800,000 number?

No. Why would it?

dualstow wrote: ↑Sat May 03, 2025 12:24 pm No. Why would it?

I am expressing no opinion on the salary information. I'm stating that in the light of our own country's deaths and casualties in wars going back 75 years cumulatively that it makes the 800,000 look suspect.

Remember that the quote says “killed or wounded”, not “killed.”

But, you got me to check wikipedia anyway, because these are not numbers that I’m familiar with. I have looked up casualties of different wars, but they don’t stay with me.

The 800,000 figure does match up, but only with Ukraine’s estimate (of Russian losses). This is wildly different from Russia’s own estimate. For what it’s worth.
Then again, the UK’s estimate is even higher: 900K.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualtie ... casualties

dualstow wrote: ↑Sun May 04, 2025 5:55 am Remember that the quote says “killed or wounded”, not “killed.”

But, you got me to check wikipedia anyway, because these are not numbers that I’m familiar with. I have looked up casualties of different wars, but they don’t stay with me.

The 800,000 figure does match up, but only with Ukraine’s estimate (of Russian losses). This is wildly different from Russia’s own estimate. For what it’s worth.
Then again, the UK’s estimate is even higher: 900K.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualtie ... casualties

This was the question I'd asked Perplexity Plus: "How many years back do we need to go back to have a total of 800,000 Americans killed or wounded in war"


Because I'm always involved in numbers in any way I can .... I generally do not just accept them if I have any ability to challenge / evaluate them.

Too many times we just have to accept what is given to us.

On the basis of our country's history in this area ... the 800,000 / 900,000 amounts seem highly suspect.

Here is the way I analyze it.

Russia's population is at 144,000,000. Say half is male. That puts it at 72,000,000.

Found this:

"The percentage of the Russian male population that is of military age is not explicitly stated in the available data. However, it is noted that the number of men aged 18-26 in Russia was around 7.21 million in 2021, and this number is expected to decrease in the coming years due to demographic challenges4. Additionally, the militarization rate in Russia was 6.31 percent in 2020, based on the number of men aged 20-345. This indicates that a significant portion of the male population is eligible for military service, but the exact percentage is not provided in the sources."

That would mean that 12% of those men aged 18-26 would have been killed or injured. Would the country just accept this without some sort of demonstrations?

What news have we been getting on a regular basis regarding how many are killed / wounded in a day / week / month.

For all the above reasons I do not accept that number.

Trump again repeats his not to believed "fact" that 5,000 soldiers (from both sides) are dying each week.

That'd be 250,000 per year; 750,000 in total.

Why do we do not get news about all these deaths on a current basis?

We did get the news that the Russia strike killed 12 civilians.

So we hear about the 12 .. which seemed to be the first civilian deaths in a while?

Yet we get no news about these constant military deaths?

I asked this:


What are some creditable articles on a regular basis regarding the amount of military casualties and deaths during the Ukraine War

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-a ... ynokiZ6w#0

The response:

Credible Sources for Regular Updates on Ukraine War Military Casualties
Several reputable organizations and media outlets provide ongoing, regularly updated information on military casualties and deaths during the Ukraine War. The following sources are recognized for their methodological rigor, transparency, and reliability in tracking losses on both sides of the conflict:

1. BBC News Russian & Mediazona

These outlets collaborate on a continuously updated database of confirmed Russian military deaths, using open-source data such as obituaries, official reports, and graveyard records. Their findings are published bi-weekly and include detailed breakdowns by region, military branch, and circumstances of death. They also provide statistical estimates, suggesting their confirmed list likely covers only 45–65% of actual deaths, with the real toll significantly higher.

Mediazona’s English-language page and interactive infographics are updated every two weeks, providing both summaries and raw data.

BBC News Russian offers in-depth articles and periodic summaries, often cited by international media and analysts.

2. UALosses Project

This Ukrainian initiative documents the names of Ukrainian military casualties, including non-combat deaths and missing soldiers. The project is recognized as reliable by Mediazona, BBC News Russian, and other independent monitors. As of late April 2025, they had documented nearly 69,000 Ukrainian military deaths by name.

The project is regularly updated and is often referenced for cross-verification by international outlets.

3. The Economist

The Economist publishes periodic analytical pieces synthesizing data from open sources, Western intelligence, and independent research projects. Their estimates are widely cited, including figures for both killed and wounded, and they provide context on the scale and impact of losses.

4. The Kyiv Independent

This English-language Ukrainian outlet regularly reports on casualty estimates, referencing both official statements and independent research (including Mediazona and BBC News Russian). Their coverage reflects ongoing debates about the accuracy of various figures and includes statements from Ukrainian officials and Western analysts.

5. U.S. and Western Intelligence Reports

Outlets such as The New York Times and official U.S. government sources periodically publish estimates based on classified and open-source intelligence. For example, a U.S. congressional report from January 2024 cited nearly 300,000 Russian casualties, including 120,000 deaths, and about 70,000 Ukrainian deaths.

6. Wikipedia: "Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War"

The Wikipedia page, updated regularly, aggregates and cites figures from the above sources, as well as United Nations and government statements. It provides detailed tables and timelines, making it a useful reference for tracking changes and comparing estimates.

Summary Table of Key Sources
Source Frequency/Format Coverage Notes
BBC News Russian & Mediazona Bi-weekly, database & articles Russian casualties Most comprehensive open-source tracking, with estimates
UALosses Project Ongoing, by-name database Ukrainian casualties Recognized by multiple outlets as reliable
The Economist Periodic analytical articles Both sides Synthesizes multiple data sources
The Kyiv Independent Regular news articles Both sides Focuses on Ukrainian official and independent data
U.S./Western Intelligence Periodic reports Both sides High-level estimates, often cited by media
Wikipedia Continuously updated Both sides Aggregates multiple sources, detailed breakdowns
How to Access Regular Updates
BBC News Russian & Mediazona: Visit their dedicated war casualty tracking pages for the latest bi-weekly updates and infographics.

UALosses Project: Access their online database for up-to-date, by-name listings of Ukrainian military deaths.

The Economist and The Kyiv Independent: Check their websites for periodic analyses and news coverage.

Wikipedia: The "Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War" page is updated with new data and sources as they become available.

These sources, when used together, provide the most accurate and regularly updated picture of military casualties in the Ukraine War.

You’re definitely more experienced with numbers than me and more skilled with them, which got me curious enough to look up wiki’s stats. But it seems kind of flawed at the start to base your suspicions on America’s casualties in other wars, since the two nations are so different. Does America use soldiers as cannon fodder?

But ok, you started with Russia’s population, which is a good first step. Belligerents you can get from the main page on the war: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_i ... Background

Your skepticism is contagious. It does seem like a really high number. But, if it includes those who are lightly wounded, I think it’s still plausible.

That would mean that 12% of those men aged 18-26 would have been killed or injured. Would the country just accept this without some sort of demonstrations?

Again, very different countries. I think you have an idea about what Russia does to demonstrators, and even its dissidents abroad. It might actually be safer on the front line.

Indians lured to war in Ukraine by Russia under pretense of job opportunities

https://youtu.be/k6Dlqw8PVnM?si=DWylQPbuqnosrLkf

ochotona wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 1:50 pm Indians lured to war in Ukraine by Russia under pretense of job opportunities

Bizarre. Usually, the impoverished are lured into the sex traffic trade.
Apparently, this happened before the India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir.