The analyzed data reveals a sharp increase in murder convictions, going from 13 in 2022 to 116 in 2023. This situation, which marks a deterioration compared to previous years, has been confirmed by sources such as the Russian news site Mediazone or the New York Times.
Local Russian media outlets have also documented this worrying trend. Verstka reported that as of 2023, as many as 190 criminal cases had been opened against former soldiers, 20 of which involved charges of murder or attempted murder. A blatant example of this post-release violence occurred recently when the Kirov court sentenced a former member of the private military company Wagner to 22 years in prison for the murder and rape of an elderly woman after his release there a few months ago.
British intelligence analysts attribute this alarming increase in crimes involving Russian military personnel in part to chronic mental health problems linked to post-traumatic stress and desensitization to violence seen on the battlefield. Additionally, alcohol and drug use by former inmates, exacerbated by low morale and boredom, appears to contribute to this spiral of violence.
This situation highlights the considerable challenges facing rehabilitation and reintegration systems in Russia, particularly for individuals with histories of extreme crime and violence. By closely examining these trends, it becomes imperative for Russian authorities to put in place effective measures to address mental health, substance abuse and social reintegration issues in order to prevent more tragic losses.
