Despite promises of a hero’s welcome upon their return from Ukraine, Russian soldiers have reportedly been subjected to theft and fraud, with government officials implicated in exploiting their salaries and compensation, according to a BBC investigation.
Since the onset of the invasion in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin has significantly expanded the Russian army, relying heavily on financial incentives to attract volunteer recruits.
Nikita Khursa, 39, like thousands of other Russians, was drawn to fight in Ukraine by the potential financial rewards.
Depending on the region, recruits can earn up to 5.2 million roubles (approximately £47,000) in their first year of service, in addition to potential injury compensation reaching up to 4 million roubles.
This compensation can amount to as much as 600% of the average national wage.
For many individuals, particularly those from Russia’s economically disadvantaged regions, the financial allure is compelling, despite the inherent risks.
Nikita Khursa, a welder from the Rostov region near Ukraine, served on the front lines for a few months in the summer of 2024 before sustaining an injury that led to his return home for recovery.
His injury qualified him for a substantial bonus, which he and his wife, Oksana, planned to use to purchase an apartment.
However, following a domestic dispute fueled by alcohol, Khursa left their home in a drunken state, carrying a plastic bag containing their cash savings.
In his inebriated state, Khursa decided to drive to Rostov with the intention of buying an apartment there instead.
“If my wife had been wiser, she would have told me to sleep over it and decide in the morning,” he told the BBC.
En route, traffic police stopped him, noticing the bag of cash and demanding a bribe.
Khursa informed the officers that he had recently returned from fighting in Ukraine.
“Let’s not do this, he’s just come back from the war,” one officer reportedly suggested. However, the other officer, upon seeing the cash, retorted: “Shut up, do you know how much money that is?”
The officers allegedly seized almost everything – 2.66 million roubles (approximately £24,000).
This incident starkly contrasts with President Vladimir Putin’s assurances that those who participate in the war against Ukraine would be treated as heroes and “the new elite” upon their return.
In a separate case, law enforcement officials are investigating allegations that several police officers stationed at a Moscow airport colluded with taxi drivers to exploit returning servicemen.
The taxi drivers would initially offer reasonable fares, only to demand significantly higher payments – up to 15 times the original amount – upon completion of the ride.
Those who resisted were reportedly threatened, and in some instances, allegedly drugged or intoxicated while the perpetrators stole from their bank cards.
Investigators estimate that the gang stole at least 1.5 million roubles from returning soldiers.
In some instances, salaries are stolen before the servicemen even receive the funds.
In October 2024, police apprehended three employees of a recruitment center in the Vladimir region for allegedly stealing over 11 million roubles from soldiers.
The suspects reportedly gained access to the soldiers’ salary accounts by retaining the SIM cards issued to the new recruits, which were linked to their accounts.
In another case, a local official from the Belgorod region is suspected of stealing over a million roubles from new recruits by linking their bank accounts to his personal phone number.
Reports have also surfaced of soldiers being robbed by their own commanding officers.
One serviceman told the BBC that his unit was denied access to shops and instructed to surrender their bank cards and PIN numbers to a sergeant major.
The officer allegedly amassed 50 salary cards, many belonging to soldiers now listed as missing in action.
According to the soldier, the officer absconded with the funds. Some cards reportedly held up to 2 million roubles.
Nikita Khursa reported the officers who stole his money to the police.
The officers were charged with robbery and abuse of power, but the case did not proceed to trial.
Both officers enlisted in the army and were deployed to Ukraine, thereby avoiding prosecution under a new law that allows criminal suspects to serve in the military in lieu of facing charges.
“At first I was angry,” Khursa told the BBC from a hospital near Saint Petersburg. “Then I thought, if there is a God, maybe this is how it should be.”
He did not recover his money and is currently awaiting a military doctor’s assessment to determine whether he must return to the front, as contract soldiers are obligated to remain in service until the war concludes.
Khursa says he has shrapnel near his heart, but does not see a civilian future for himself.
He and Oksana have separated, as he didn’t want to keep his wife tied down while he was in the military.
“If I’m not here, I’ll end up on the street,” he says. “Only the army saves you, puts a roof over your head.”
Illustrations by Natalia Maca.
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