Episode description

The BBC Russian’s Olga Ivshina explains how her and her team have been able to estimate the number of Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine and buried in Russia by sending volunteers to visit cemeteries.

Also, we hear from Mikhail Benyash, a Russian human rights lawyer who has been advising Russian soldiers who don’t want to fight in Ukraine.

The BBC’s Security correspondent, Frank Gardner explains why he believes Russia is currently militarily winning the war.

And the team discusses the toll the war has also taken on the Russian people. The series producer is Estelle Doyle. The producers Alix Pickles, Arsenii Sokolov and Osman Iqbal. The technical producer is Emma Crowe. And the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 0330 1239480.