Russian soldiers returning from Ukraine linked to 240 murders

Over 240 murders in Russia were committed by soldiers who returned from the war in Ukraine, according to a report prepared by the media project "Wiorstka," which analyzes the functioning of society in Russia. The report also indicates that these veterans mutilated 227 people.

The Russian military is recruiting additional individuals. Even criminals are assigned to specific units to fill gaps and meet the Kremlin's expectations. These individuals often serve sentences for serious murders, but by expressing a desire to join the military, they are released from serving the remaining years.

According to a PAP publication, since then, Russian soldiers returning from the front have been responsible for 242 murders and 227 cases of mutilation, resulting in a total of 469 victims.

Journalists from "Wiorstka" analyzed numerous media publications and court records concerning crimes committed by Russian military personnel. It was found that in 80 regions of Russia, at least 350 criminal cases have been initiated against participants in the war. Most of the crimes, 246 in total, were committed by former prisoners recruited to the front. Another 180 crimes were attributed to military personnel.

Project "Wiorstka" revealed that former soldiers committed murders, caused severe bodily injuries leading to death, caused fatal accidents and deaths due to negligence, and encouraged drug use, which often resulted in death.

Among the 125 accused pardoned or conditionally released, 54 people had previously been convicted of similar crimes. The vast majority of crimes committed by returning soldiers occurred as a result of domestic disputes or under the influence of alcohol. Furthermore, former prisoners were more likely than other soldiers to commit crimes against women.

Journalists point out that participation in the war in Ukraine almost always constituted a mitigating circumstance in sentencing. Among the 292 analyzed sentences, in 85 percent of cases, judges took into account the accused's participation in the war in Ukraine. In cases of murders caused by negligence or attempted murders, former war participants most often received minimal sentences, which were usually suspended.

The actual number of crimes committed by returning soldiers may be higher, as civil courts do not publish all rulings, the portal believes.