Russia Jails Thousands of Its Own Troops

Russia’s military courts recorded a surge in criminal convictions against soldiers in 2024, reaching levels not seen in more than a decade, according to official data obtained by independent outlet Verstka on April 15.

A total of 13,699 service members were convicted by garrison military courts last year, representing a 76% increase from 2023 and the highest figure since at least 2010.

In comparison, 7,779 convictions were recorded in 2023, and 4,191 in 2022.

The previous high, set in 2010, was 8,632 convictions.

Thousands Jailed, Drug Use and Desertion Rising

Among the nearly 14,000 convictions in 2024, 6,838 service members received prison sentences, more than double the number jailed in the previous year.

One particularly troubling trend is the rise in drug-related offenses: 774 personnel were convicted of drug trafficking, up from the previous peak of 560 cases in 2015.

Reports from Russian soldiers interviewed by Verstka suggest that drug use is widespread, with an estimated 10–15% of troops in some units using drugs regularly.

Desertion also remains one of the most common offenses. According to a separate analysis by independent media outlet Mediazona, Russian military courts issued an average of 34 desertion-related verdicts per day throughout 2024.

One of the most notable cases involved Roman Ivanishin, a soldier from Sakhalin, who became the first known Russian serviceman convicted for surrendering to Ukrainian forces.

He was sentenced to 15 years in a maximum-security prison, setting a precedent amid increased scrutiny of soldiers’ battlefield conduct.

The sharp rise in criminal convictions reflects the mounting strain on Russia’s military, which continues to rely on a mix of contract soldiers, mobilized reservists, and prison recruits to sustain its war effort in Ukraine.

Analysts say the ongoing fighting, lack of rest, poor conditions, and inconsistent rotation policies are fueling breakdowns in discipline across multiple fronts.