Support Needed for Nearly 140K Returning Russian Soldiers Facing Reintegration Challenges

Nearly 140,000 Russian military personnel have transitioned back to civilian life following their involvement in the conflict with Ukraine and are now in need of reintegration assistance, a Kremlin spokesperson revealed on Thursday.

Sergei Novikov, head of the Kremlin’s Directorate for Social Projects, stated at a government-sponsored youth forum, “Approximately 137,000 individuals have returned from the frontline of the special military operation.”

“Most of these individuals are young, primarily under the age of 35,” he was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency. “They require support in retraining and securing new employment—not just any employment, but quality jobs. This is crucial because, while in the combat zone, they receive substantial salaries.”

Soldiers earn at least 204,000 rubles (around $2,600) monthly while serving in Ukraine.

“They need to return home without facing a decline in their household income,” Novikov continued.

The Russian government estimates that only slightly more than half of the demobilized veterans have secured jobs. In response, it has launched job assistance programs, vocational training initiatives, and financial incentives for employers who hire veterans with disabilities.

Furthermore, the urgency for reintegration has increased with reports of a rise in violent crimes associated with returning veterans. Court documents indicate that Russian soldiers have been responsible for the deaths of at least 378 individuals after reentering civilian life since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

According to lawmakers, Russia’s Defense Ministry believes that one in five veterans may experience post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the country has fewer than one therapist available for every 7,000 adults, and even fewer who specialize in treating combat-related trauma.