Kremlins Worries Grow as Returning Ukrainian War Veterans Raise Social Tensions

Russian authorities, including President Vladimir Putin, are expressing increasing concerns about the potential societal disruptions that may arise from the return of a large number of soldiers from the war in Ukraine, as reported by Reuters on Tuesday, citing sources within the Kremlin.

Officials in Moscow are eager to prevent a repeat of the unrest seen after the Soviet-Afghan War, when veterans contributed to the growth of organized crime during the 1990s, according to one insider. Another source claimed that Russia’s political framework and law enforcement are currently «stronger» than they were in 1989, shortly before the Soviet Union collapsed at the conclusion of the Afghan war.

However, many veterans may find it challenging to secure salaries comparable to what they earned while serving, which could lead to rising discontent, as stated by one Kremlin source.

Since 2022, recruitment efforts have intensified, featuring higher sign-on bonuses and significant recruitment from Russian prisons.

Data from the prison service indicate that between 120,000 and 180,000 inmates have been deployed to combat. The majority of those who are returning now are either former inmates, severely injured soldiers, or individuals deemed unfit for frontline service.

Putin has mentioned that approximately 700,000 Russian soldiers are still stationed in Ukraine.

In 2023, the Russian Defense Ministry revised regulations that previously allowed convicts to return from service after just six months, arguing that they should not receive more favorable terms than volunteers. However, there remains significant concern that these ex-prisoners, after re-entering civilian life, may engage in criminal activities.

The exiled news outlet Vyorstka reported earlier this year that nearly 400 individuals have been killed by Russian soldiers after their return since the onset of the war.

In light of these developments, lawmakers are pressing the government to increase training for therapists who can address combat-related PTSD.

According to Sardana Avksentyeva, the deputy leader of the center-right New People party, the Russian Defense Ministry estimates that around one in five war veterans is affected by PTSD. At the same time, estimates indicate that there is fewer than one therapist available for every 7,000 adults in the country, and even fewer possess experience in treating combat trauma.

In an apparent effort to mitigate potential risks to Russia’s tightly controlled political system, the Kremlin has launched the «Time of Heroes» elite training initiative, aimed at quickly integrating Ukraine war veterans into governmental positions.

While it remains unclear whether this program can offer the broad opportunities it promises, four veterans have been appointed to the presidential administration, three have secured seats in the Federation Council, and several others have been designated to various regional administrative roles since the invasion in 2022.