Russian soldiers return home to commit hundreds of brutal crimes
Over 240 murders in Russia have been committed by soldiers returning from the war in Ukraine. This information comes from a report by the media project "Wiorstka," which examines societal issues in Russia. The report also states that these veterans mutilated 227 people.
6:31 PM EDT, September 26, 2024
The Russian military recruits additional individuals to fill gaps and meet the Kremlin's expectations, even including criminals in specific units. These individuals often serve sentences for serious crimes, but by volunteering to join the military, they are released from serving the remaining years of their sentences.
According to a PAP publication, Russian soldiers returning from the front have been responsible for 242 murders and 227 cases of mutilation, resulting in a total of 469 victims.
Journalists from "Wiorstka" analyzed numerous media reports and court records concerning crimes committed by Russian military personnel. They found that in 80 regions of Russia, at least 350 criminal cases have been initiated against participants in the war. Most of the crimes, 246 in total, were committed by former prisoners recruited to the front. Another 180 crimes were attributed to regular military personnel.
Project "Wiorstka" revealed that former soldiers committed murders, caused severe bodily injuries leading to death, caused fatal accidents and deaths due to negligence, and encouraged drug use, which often resulted in death.
Among the 125 accused pardoned or conditionally released, 54 people had previously been convicted of similar crimes. The vast majority of crimes committed by returning soldiers occurred as a result of domestic disputes or under the influence of alcohol. Furthermore, former prisoners were more likely than other soldiers to commit crimes against women.
Journalists point out that participation in the war in Ukraine almost always served as a mitigating factor in sentencing. Among the 292 analyzed sentences, in 85 percent of cases, judges considered the accused's participation in the war in Ukraine. In cases of murders caused by negligence or attempted murders, former war participants most often received minimal sentences, which were usually suspended.
The actual number of crimes committed by returning soldiers may be higher, as civil courts do not publish all rulings, the portal believes.
