A former Russian journalist may be among dozens of Russian mercenaries believed to have died while fighting in Libya, the Moscow Times reported on Monday.

The newspaper pointed out that more than 100 Russian mercenaries arrived in Libya early September and that about 35 of them were killed in an airstrike later that month.

The report also clarified that a former journalist named "Yevgeny Ilyubayev" was among the victims of the airstrike, as confirmed by an acquaintance.

It added that the Russian government does not recognize private military contractors nor does it count their dead.