Russian soldiers killing comrades in shocking rise of violent crimes
Russian soldiers are committing numerous crimes. Their victims include not only Ukrainian civilians and soldiers but also their comrades. An analysis by "Novaya Gazeta" journalists shows that crimes occur on average every two to three days.
Journalists from "Novaya Gazeta" analyzed verdicts handed down in garrison courts. Russian courts' impartiality and operation raises justified doubts, especially in war conditions. Despite all reservations about the reliability of Russian investigators' actions and regardless of whether the guilty were punished, the fact remains that many crimes occur within the Russian army, in which soldiers are killed by their colleagues.
Journalists point 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 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. It was about repaying a debt of about $10,300 CAD.
Many of these crimes may be covered up
Crimes occur both in trenches stretching along the front lines and in camps. Many murders are successfully covered up by reporting deaths as combat actions. Many reach the court, though what percentage of all cases this is is hard to say.
An analysis of verdicts shows that in most cases, alcohol is mentioned. 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, also mental and behavioral disorders, including PTSD.
