Russia’s war in Ukraine led to a decrease in crime levels within the country due to the large number of men sent to join the conflict. However, as these servicemen begin to return, a surge in crime is being observed.
Data from Russia’s Supreme Court shows that crimes unrelated to the war increased by over 20% last year, with a rise in cases of violent crimes, thefts, and drug-related offenses among returning servicemembers. Many of these individuals were pardoned by President Vladimir Putin after surviving six months at the front, under a program initiated by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late leader of the Wagner mercenary group.
While the overall numbers remain relatively small and not all returning servicemembers engage in criminal activities, the impact of their reintegration into society is becoming evident. The figures do not account for crimes committed by convicts released from jail to join the war effort, further complicating the picture of post-conflict crime in Russia.