Russian soldiers deployed in the occupied areas of eastern Ukraine describe an extensive system of corruption, extortion, and abuses within the army, according to testimonies collected from several soldiers and deserters, writes The Economist.
Interviews conducted with military personnel from regions such as Belgorod, Lugansk, and Donetsk indicate that some commanders would turn their subordinates into a source of income, demanding money for equipment, transfers, or even to avoid being sent on dangerous missions.
A 26-year-old deserter claims that he was sent to the front without training and that a large part of his earnings, approximately 6 million rubles, were spent on equipment and informal payments to superiors.
According to testimonies, soldiers would be forced to buy basic equipment themselves, such as bulletproof vests or footwear, and refusal to pay could lead to severe sanctions or being sent on high-risk missions, according to Realitatea.md.
Some military personnel claim that there are practices of confiscating bank cards before missions, and in the event of death, the money would be withdrawn by superiors. Also, there are reported cases of extreme violence against those who refuse to pay, including detention under improper conditions or executions.
In a case reported by the family, a soldier was allegedly killed after refusing to surrender the compensation received for a wound suffered on the front line.
These accusations outline the image of a “war economy” in which resources, security, and even survival would depend on the military’s ability to pay. So far, the Russian authorities have not officially commented on this information.