Former prisoners recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine are being hailed as heroes by state media and President Vladimir Putin. But their return has unleashed a wave of violent crime across Russia.
Convicted Military Personnel Doubled
Convicted criminals who avoided prison by joining the war are increasingly involved in violent incidents upon their return.
In the first half of this year, the number of military personnel convicted of crimes in Russia doubled compared to the same period in 2022.
Among the victims was Irina, attacked in Artyom by a man who according to Digi24 claimed:
“I’m a veteran of the special military operation. I will kill you!”
He presented a document proving his military service and insisted he was untouchable because of his actions in Ukraine.
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Rising Violence Among Veterans
According to independent Russian outlet Verstka, at least 242 Russians have been killed, and another 227 gravely injured by returning soldiers.
Many attackers were former prisoners released to fight in Ukraine, including those convicted of heinous crimes such as murder and assault.
The Wagner mercenary group recruited over 48,000 inmates for the war before the Ministry of Defense took over following Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death. Sociologist Igor Eidman told the BBC that these practices have warped societal norms.
“People who committed horrific crimes are not just avoiding punishment — they’re being celebrated as heroes,” Eidman said.
Impunity Fuels Crime
Media glorification and official pardons create a sense of invincibility among returning veterans.
Courts frequently issue lenient sentences for crimes committed by ex-soldiers, and some cases never reach trial due to new laws against “discrediting” the Russian military.
In 2023, severe crimes in Russia increased by nearly 10%. Olga Romanova of the prisoners’ rights NGO Russia Behind Bars warns that this impunity fosters a dangerous culture of lawlessness.
Sociologist Anna Kuleshova noted that violence is becoming normalized.
“Militarization, conservatism, and the romanticization of war have made violence seem acceptable — even a way to resolve conflicts,” she said.
