As the war in Ukraine continues, many Russian servicemen are returning home not with bonuses and accolades, but with shocking stories of being robbed and scammed out of their earnings by corrupt officials and opportunistic criminals.
Russian Soldiers Face Scams and Betrayal After Returning from Combat
Russian Soldiers Face Scams and Betrayal After Returning from Combat
Reports reveal that returning Russian soldiers are being exploited financially by both officials and criminals, undermining President Putin's promises of a hero's welcome.
In recent reports, it has come to light that Russian soldiers returning from the Ukraine conflict are facing rampant scams and theft, with significant portions of their promised pay being siphoned off by corrupt officials and criminal elements. President Vladimir Putin had promised these soldiers a hero's welcome, but instead, many are finding themselves victims of a system that has betrayed them.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian military has rapidly expanded, with financial incentives attracting thousands of volunteers. For instance, recruits can earn significant sums, such as 5.2 million roubles (approximately £47,000) in their first year, along with bonuses for injuries. This prospect is particularly appealing to those from poorer regions of Russia.
One such soldier, 39-year-old Nikita Khursa, had dreams of using his earnings to buy a home after returning from two months at the front lines. However, a confrontation with his wife led him to leave the house with their savings only to be stopped by traffic police who demanded a bribe upon seeing the cash. They ended up taking around 2.66 million roubles (£24,000), demonstrating a complete disregard for the promises made to soldiers by their government.
Additionally, reports surfaced of police officers at a Moscow airport alerting taxi drivers to exploit returning servicemen, resulting in extortionate fare demands and even drugging victims to access their bank accounts. This operation is believed to have defrauded returning soldiers of at least 1.5 million roubles.
The theft does not stop there; in October 2024, three recruitment center employees were arrested for stealing upwards of 11 million roubles from soldiers’ salary accounts using issued SIM cards. In yet another case, soldiers were coerced into handing over personal banking information to their commanders, only to have those funds misappropriated.
Khursa sought justice by reporting the corrupt officers who robbed him, yet despite their arrest, they allegedly avoided serious consequences by enlisting to fight in Ukraine under a new legal provision that permits criminal suspects to serve in the military.
Reflecting on his experience, Khursa expressed a resigned perspective regarding his losses, indicating that he feels the military is his only viable option for a stable existence, especially after losing his wife in the upheaval of his military service. As he awaits medical clearance to return to duty, Khursa’s story underscores the ongoing challenges and exploitation faced by soldiers in this ongoing conflict.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian military has rapidly expanded, with financial incentives attracting thousands of volunteers. For instance, recruits can earn significant sums, such as 5.2 million roubles (approximately £47,000) in their first year, along with bonuses for injuries. This prospect is particularly appealing to those from poorer regions of Russia.
One such soldier, 39-year-old Nikita Khursa, had dreams of using his earnings to buy a home after returning from two months at the front lines. However, a confrontation with his wife led him to leave the house with their savings only to be stopped by traffic police who demanded a bribe upon seeing the cash. They ended up taking around 2.66 million roubles (£24,000), demonstrating a complete disregard for the promises made to soldiers by their government.
Additionally, reports surfaced of police officers at a Moscow airport alerting taxi drivers to exploit returning servicemen, resulting in extortionate fare demands and even drugging victims to access their bank accounts. This operation is believed to have defrauded returning soldiers of at least 1.5 million roubles.
The theft does not stop there; in October 2024, three recruitment center employees were arrested for stealing upwards of 11 million roubles from soldiers’ salary accounts using issued SIM cards. In yet another case, soldiers were coerced into handing over personal banking information to their commanders, only to have those funds misappropriated.
Khursa sought justice by reporting the corrupt officers who robbed him, yet despite their arrest, they allegedly avoided serious consequences by enlisting to fight in Ukraine under a new legal provision that permits criminal suspects to serve in the military.
Reflecting on his experience, Khursa expressed a resigned perspective regarding his losses, indicating that he feels the military is his only viable option for a stable existence, especially after losing his wife in the upheaval of his military service. As he awaits medical clearance to return to duty, Khursa’s story underscores the ongoing challenges and exploitation faced by soldiers in this ongoing conflict.
