From Prison to Frontline: The Harsh Realities of Russia’s War Veterans

Thousands of Russians have voluntarily signed up to fight in Ukraine, motivated by beliefs, personal reasons, or the lure of a different life rather than ideology. This harsh reality now contrasts with the dwindling number of those who still dream of an empire rebuilding under their president.

Footage from a rehabilitation center or hospital features Russian war veterans revealing reasons for their enlistment. Though some speak of wounds and disfigurement, they also mention escape from prison and the chance to support their families as their gains from war. The grim situation reflects the Russian authorities' exploitation of such individuals.

These prisoners joined "Storm-Z" units with the slim hope of earning freedom if they survived. However, the high fatality rate amongst them is an open secret, underscoring the low value placed on their lives. Conditions in prisons and special colonies were deliberately exacerbated to make military service appear more appealing.

"My daughter now receives free meals at school," the wounded veteran shares, highlighting a tangible benefit of his grim choice. Freed from prison, his children now enjoy state care and faceless stigmatization, breaking away from the cloud of having a criminal parent. Yet, the promises made to these soldiers often fall short, and the support they were assured fades away quickly.

Russia's neglect of its veterans, dubbed "stormtroopers," is glaring. The Ministry of Defense withholds compensation, and medical professionals turn away injured soldiers. Similar to their lives before the war, their struggles are overlooked, leaving them to fend for themselves, carrying the burdens and scars from their service.