The conflict led by Vladimir Putin in Ukraine is contributing to a rise in violent crimes within Russia as criminals are being released to participate in the fighting.
New data reveals a significant increase in murders and sexual offenses attributed to military personnel, with a total of at least 729 murders committed since the onset of the invasion. This marks a striking surge compared to the four years preceding the conflict, with civilians being the primary targets.
Instances of sexual violence have also escalated, with a ninefold increase in rapes and a fivefold rise in cases involving violent sexual acts. Of the analyzed 549 cases in military courts involving Putin’s fighters, a concerning number involve sex crimes against minors, including a significant portion against children under the age of 14.
The statistics underscore how the ongoing war orchestrated by the Kremlin is negatively impacting life within Russia, alongside the devastation witnessed in Ukraine. In 2025, military courts handled 352 murder cases, a drastic increase compared to 2018. The data, sourced from the independent Vot Tak channel, also reveals a ninefold rise in fatal violent assaults.
Retired Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov, a veteran Soviet and Russian commander, has expressed grave concerns about the war’s brutality seeping into Russian society. He warned that the violence witnessed on the battlefield is permeating civilian life, leading to a disturbing transformation in societal behavior.
Putin’s decision to conscript tens of thousands of individuals with criminal backgrounds into the Russian armed forces has further exacerbated the situation. Many perpetrators of crimes are allowed to evade punishment by returning to the frontline, even during ongoing investigations or legal proceedings.
Numerous heinous crimes against civilians have been committed by Putin’s fighters, including cases where individuals with violent histories have engaged in further criminal activities upon returning from the conflict zones. These incidents highlight the alarming consequences of releasing individuals with criminal tendencies into active combat roles.
The stories of individuals like Tsyren-Dorzhi Tsyrenzhapov, Andrey Gorlyakov, and Alexei Nakvakin exemplify the tragic outcomes stemming from the integration of individuals with criminal pasts into military operations. The toll of civilian casualties at the hands of war returnees is estimated to surpass 1,000, underlining the severe repercussions of this policy.
The disturbing trend of violence and criminal behavior within Russia underscores the deep-seated impact of the ongoing conflict on society, with concerns raised about the long-term repercussions of integrating individuals with criminal backgrounds into military operations.
