Surge in disabled men in Russia linked to Ukraine conflict, UK report says

Over the last two years, there has been a concerning rise in the number of men with disabilities in Russia. The UK Ministry of Defence highlights this trend among Russian men aged 31-59, attributing the spike to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

According to a report from the Defence Ministry, this analysis draws on daily intelligence updates and research by the independent portal Wiorstka - as reported by PAP. Wiorstka's investigation delved into data from the Russian pension fund and social insurance records.

Their findings revealed a record increase in the number of disabled men aged 31-59 during 2022-2023, marking the most significant rise in the past eight years. The official count of men with disabilities was 1.67 million in 2022, which surged by 507,000 to a 30 percent increase in 2023.

Russian demographers, in conversation with the Wiorstka portal, suggested that this dramatic rise is likely linked to an uptick in disabled war veterans. They implied that the conflict in Ukraine has significantly contributed to this scenario.

The intelligence update proposes that the conflict is probably the primary cause of these societal shifts in Russia. Notably, it was reported that out of the 335,000 casualties encountered by the Russian military in Ukraine, the vast majority were wounded. Since the offensive intensified in the fall of 2023, the average daily casualty rate among Russians has soared, peaking at 983 per day, the highest since the war's onset, as underscored by the British ministry.

The UK Ministry of Defence emphasized that "the unprecedented increase in disabled men aged 31-59 and wounded soldiers will profoundly affect the Russian medical and social benefit systems". The escalating number of individuals needing medical and social assistance is likely to place further pressure on Russia's healthcare and social support frameworks.