Russian soldiers turn on each other: Crimes every 2‑3 days
2:22 PM EDT, June 15, 2024
Russian soldiers are committing numerous crimes. Their victims include not only Ukrainian civilians and soldiers but also their own comrades. An analysis by journalists from "Novaya Gazeta" shows that these crimes occur on average every 2-3 days.
Journalists from "Novaya Gazeta" analyzed verdicts handed down in garrison courts. Russian courts' impartiality and operation raise justified doubts, especially in war conditions. Despite reservations about the reliability of Russian investigators' actions and whether the guilty are punished, the fact remains that many crimes occur within the Russian army, where soldiers are killed by their colleagues.
The journalists pointed out that from January to October 2023, 135 cases of murders committed in areas occupied by Russian soldiers were settled in courts. "It turns out that the Kremlin's army kills its own soldiers every two to three days — due to mistakes or negligence," reports Onet. Importantly, these are incomplete data, as there is no information from garrison courts in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
It turns out that more crimes are committed in these areas than murders committed by war veterans throughout Russia. One Russian soldier, Maksim Moszkin, stabbed his comrade twice with a knife. The reason for the attack was a dispute over money for grocery shopping.
Sergei Shurkov, another Russian soldier, shot another soldier in the head three times. In this case, it was also about money, regarding the repayment of a debt of about $7,800.
Many of these crimes may be covered up
Crimes occur both in trenches along the front lines and in camps. Many murders are successfully covered up by reporting deaths resulting from combat actions. Many cases reach the courts, though it's hard to say what percentage of this represents.
An analysis of verdicts shows that, in most cases, alcohol is a factor. This was the case in 83% of cases. As many as 76% of the perpetrators were drunk at the time of the murder. Some of the accused were confirmed to have alcoholism, drug addiction, and in some cases, mental and behavioral disorders, including PTSD.
