Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine over two years ago, Russian soldiers returning from the conflict have been involved in violent crimes. Vyorstka, an independent investigative news outlet, reported that 107 people have been killed by returning soldiers. This number includes 91 ex-convicts who were pardoned after fighting in Ukraine, as well as 84 regular soldiers who returned from the front lines. Of the 107 deaths, 76 were murders, 18 were caused by grievous bodily harm, 11 were the result of car crashes, and two were due to coerced drug use. Additionally, another 100 people were seriously injured by returning soldiers but survived.
In murder cases, the courts sentenced former convicts to maximum-security prison terms ranging between 6-11 years, while regular soldiers received sentences between 7.5-10 years. For concurrent sentences, the sentences increased to 22 years for former convicts and 20 years for regular soldiers. However, Vyorstka noted that the actual number of crimes committed by returning soldiers is likely higher than reported, as not all cases are published by the courts or mentioned in the media. The outlet also mentioned that it did not include cases involving soldiers whose military experience could not be verified within the past two years.
Overall, Vyorstka identified 142 criminal cases involving murder, grievous bodily harm, traffic violations, and coerced drug use by returning soldiers in addition to the 34 known cases. The outlet emphasized that the tally of 107 deaths caused by returning soldiers may not represent the complete picture of the violence associated with their return from the conflict in Ukraine. The crimes committed by these soldiers have had a significant impact on the victims and their families, resulting in not only loss of life but also serious injuries and other negative consequences. The issue of accountability for these crimes, as well as possible prevention measures, remains a crucial concern in light of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
