Bloomberg has reported that a surge in criminal activities is being observed in Russia as soldiers come back home. The statistics provided do not take into account individuals who have become part of the Wagner Group, a group that consists of tens of thousands of convicts.
According to Bloomberg's analysis, the deployment of a large number of individuals to the battlefield resulted in a decrease in the overall crime rate in Russia. However, with soldiers returning home, there has been a noticeable uptick in criminal incidents being reported by the Russian population. Click me
Bloomberg, referencing information from the Supreme Court of Russia, has highlighted that crimes committed by soldiers (excluding those actively engaged in combat) have risen by over 20% in 2023. While the overall number of offenders remains relatively low and not all soldiers are involved in criminal activities, there has been a noticeable increase in violent crimes, thefts, and drug-related offenses.
Convicts return home
The data, however, do not cover offenses committed by numerous convicts. It is crucial to remember that these individuals were released from prisons to participate in a program established by the late Yevgeny Prigozhin. Those who managed to survive six months on the front line could be granted a pardon by President Vladimir Putin and come back to Russia as free individuals. Click me
As sociologist Iskender Yasaveev pointed out in an interview with Bloomberg, the treatment of these individuals on the front line is appalling. He argues that the trauma they bring back will have long-lasting effects for decades.
Bloomberg reports that the return of ex-prisoners who fought for Wagner offers an early glimpse into what could occur when hundreds of thousands of men return from the front line to civilian life. The agency highlights that while minor offenses have decreased, the number of murders and sexual crimes, particularly against children, has not decreased in the last two years. Click me
Villagers and city dwellers in shock
Based on data from the Supreme Court, Bloomberg's calculations reveal a significant increase in assaults on minors by 62% compared to the pre-war period. Additionally, the number of crimes involving military personnel has quadrupled, reaching 4,409 in 2023 compared to 2021.
Bloomberg highlights the shocking revelation that Wagner recruits returning to Russia have unsettled both city and village residents. These individuals, who were believed to be serving lengthy prison sentences, are now living among the local population once again. It is worth noting that among those pardoned were individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder and even cannibalism. Click me
According to Prigozhin's statements, it is estimated that over 32,000 convicts were recruited for the war and were expected to return to Russia. In November 2023, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred to this, suggesting that these criminals, pardoned by Putin, were seeking redemption through their service on the battlefield. However, in March of this year, the Kremlin quietly revoked the regulations that granted the right to pardon after six months of service.
The crime wave could prove costly
Alex Isakov, an economist at Bloomberg Economics, has conducted calculations revealing that the potential surge in crime caused by returning soldiers could result in a loss of up to 0.6% of Russia's GDP. Consequently, the state will be burdened with the responsibility of covering social care and security expenses, particularly those related to law enforcement.
Interestingly, in certain aspects of life, crime rates in Russia have decreased following the deployment of men to the frontlines. Ekaterina Khodzhaeva, a sociologist and crime researcher, explained in an interview with Bloomberg that "economic crimes such as theft and robbery, which are often linked to poverty, have diminished due to the influx of funds into the most impoverished segments of society as a result of the war."Click me
According to reports, Russian courts dealt with approximately 62,000 fewer cases last year compared to 2021, and the number of convictions dropped by 2%. Notably, there has also been a decline in the number of police officers in various regions, potentially resulting in a reduced capacity to detect and prevent crimes.
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