Armed, Traumatized, and Back Home—Russia Faces Record Surge in Serious Crime by Its Own Veterans

In 2025, Russia recorded its highest number of serious and especially serious crimes in the past 15 years, with 627,900 cases registered, pointing to a systemic deterioration of the country’s internal security situation.

This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) on January 15.

The rise in violent crime has continued for a third consecutive year and is directly linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine, analysts say. Large numbers of combatants are returning to civilian life, including former prisoners recruited to fight at the front. These individuals are increasingly appearing in criminal cases involving murder, armed robbery, violent assaults, and drug trafficking.

Against this backdrop, the Kremlin is preparing for elections to the State Duma in 2026 while simultaneously expressing concern over its own “veterans.” Despite the public glorification of those who fought in the war, authorities reportedly doubt whether Russian society is ready to see them as lawmakers.

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Category

War in Ukraine

How Russia Legitimised Murder and Violence in Russian Society

Sep 26, 2024 16:32

As reported by the CCD, earlier reports indicated that through special political programs the Kremlin plans to bring 70–80 so-called “war heroes” into the Duma in an effort to prevent their uncontrolled radicalization after returning from the front.

As a result, participation in the war is portrayed by the authorities as a “social elevator,” yet in practice the conflict has become a catalyst for crime and domestic instability. Armed, psychologically traumatized, and often criminalized veterans are increasingly emerging as a threat to Russia itself—an outcome the Kremlin largely prefers not to acknowledge publicly.

Earlier, it was reported that Russia is preparing for the homecoming of hundreds of thousands of soldiers from the war in Ukraine, many after years of combat. Although some are likely to be celebrated as heroes, experts caution that large numbers of returnees—particularly those with criminal histories—may create significant public safety challenges.

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