August M
Russia is seeing rising concern over violent crime as reports link returning fighters and former prisoners to a growing number of serious offences.
A sharp increase in sexual violence has been recorded, according to The Express, which cited military court data and independent analysis.
The outlet reported that rape cases involving servicemen have risen ninefold, alongside a fivefold increase in other violent sexual offences.
Disturbing trend
According to The Express, a review of 549 military court cases found that 312 involved crimes against minors.
Of those, 249 cases related to children under the age of 14, highlighting the severity of the trend.
The figures point to a significant rise in abuse cases linked to fighters, many of whom were recruited from prison to serve in the war.
Killings rise
Beyond sexual violence, homicide figures have also surged.
According to The Express, servicemen have been linked to at least 729 murders since the invasion began, a dramatic increase compared to previous years.
Military courts handled 352 murder cases in 2025 alone, far higher than pre-war levels, the report said.
Civilians are frequently among the victims in these cases.
War at home
Retired Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov warned that the brutality of the battlefield is spreading into everyday life.
“This cruelty… this brutality is taking root and living among us,” he said.
“The violence that is being demonstrated on the battlefield… is penetrating inside society as well…. We are already feeling it, and we will continue to feel it.”
According to The Express, he described conditions for some soldiers as comparable to a “concentration camp”, with long deployments and limited ability to leave.
System concerns
The report also highlights policies allowing prisoners to join the military in exchange for reduced sentences.
According to The Express, tens of thousands of inmates — including those convicted of serious crimes — have been recruited.
Some are able to avoid punishment by returning to combat at various stages of legal proceedings.
Estimates cited by the outlet suggest that more than 1,000 civilians may have been killed by returning fighters.
The findings raise broader questions about the long-term social impact of the war inside Russia.
Sources: The Express
