Russia is shaken by an increase in violent crimes while the criminals released by Vladimir Putin to go to fight in Ukraine come back to settle freely in the country.
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In Russia, criminals can be pardoned if they will fight in the war in Ukraine.
Established by Vladimir Putin in order to compensate for the lack of army soldiers, this policy allows the worst bandits, in particular murderers and rapists, to regain their freedom after their deployment.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, at least 754 people have been killed or seriously injured by soldiers returned from the war. Of this number, nearly 120 victims were killed by former prisoners released to fight on Ukrainian soil, according to research by the independent media Vyorstka.
Last year, Russia recorded 617,301 violent crimes, according to figures from the Ministry of the Interior. This is the highest number since 2014.
In 2023, this number will amount to 589,000. It was 437,300 in 2017.
The lack of psychological support and the impunity that reigns within the Russian army would play a role in this increase in crime, analysts argue.
Ukraine has also adopted a law authorizing criminals to fight Russia. Criminals convicted of multiple murders, sexual crimes or violations of national security laws are excluded.
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Relatives of victims live “horror”
In January 2020, two years before the start of the war in Ukraine, Vera Pekhteleva, 23, was coldly murdered by his ex-spouse, Vladislav Kanyus.
The student went to the young man’s home to recover her personal effects there, more than two months after putting an end to their relationship.
Kanyus then raped her, beaten, stabbed and tortured, before bringing her a fatal blow, reveal court documents.
The autopsy report revealed that Vera Pekhteleva’s body bore 111 injuries at the time of his death.
Vladislav Kanyus was found guilty of murder. However, he served less than a year of his 17 -year sentence before being released – and forgiven by Vladimir Putin – to go fight in Ukraine.
He spent less than a year on the battlefield. Since then, the father of the young victim regularly sees photos of the murderer partying on social networks.
“What people are going through, those who now live in the same communities as criminals who killed their loved ones, it is a nightmare, and it is all the circles of hell,” said the mother of the victim during an interview with the Washington Post.
She and her family sent letters to Vladimir Putin and met civil servants to denounce the situation, without success.
