**Russia’s War Heroes Turned into Victims: Soldiers Robbed and Scammed by Government Officials**
As Russia’s President Vladimir Putin promised a hero’s welcome to soldiers returning from Ukraine, the BBC has uncovered shocking cases of servicemen being robbed and scammed for their salaries and pay-offs by government officials. The news highlights the dark side of President Putin’s plan to treble the size of the Russian army by relying on financial incentives.
**A Welder Turned Soldier: Nikita Khursa’s Story**
One such soldier is 39-year-old Nikita Khursa, who went to fight in Ukraine for the money. He received a hefty bonus of up to 5.2 million roubles (£47,000) in the first year of service, plus an additional 4 million roubles for injuries. This amount is equivalent to 600% of the average national wage, making it almost impossible for many Russians from poorer regions to resist.
Khursa’s story takes a tragic turn when he is wounded and sent back home to recover. His injury earns him a bonus, which he and his wife Oksana had planned to spend on buying a flat. However, in a fit of anger and drunkenness, Khursa decides to drive to Rostov and buy an apartment instead. He gets into trouble when traffic police stop him, demanding a bribe after noticing the cash in a plastic bag.
**Police Corruption: A Major Problem**
Khursa’s case is not an isolated incident. The BBC has found cases of police corruption, where officers are involved in robbing servicemen returning from Ukraine. In one such case, several police officers who worked at a Moscow airport are suspected of tipping off taxi drivers about servicemen returning from the front. The drivers would then demand up to 15 times more than the reasonable fare.
**Theft and Scams: A Widespread Problem**
Salaries are often stolen before servicemen even see their money. In October 2024, police arrested three staff members of a recruitment centre in Vladimir region for stealing over 11 million roubles from soldiers. The suspects gained access to their salary accounts by keeping sim cards that had been issued to the new recruits.
In another case, a local official from Belgorod region is suspected of stealing more than a million roubles from new recruits by linking their bank accounts to his own phone number. Soldiers have even been robbed by their own commanders. One serviceman told the BBC that his unit was denied access to shops and ordered to hand over their bank cards and PIN numbers to a sergeant major.
**The System Fails: Nikita Khursa’s Disappointment**
Khursa reported the two officers who took his money to the police, but they were charged with robbery and abuse of power. The case never reached court, and both officers signed up to join the army and went to Ukraine, avoiding prosecution under a new law.
**A Life of Struggle: Nikita Khursa’s Future Uncertain**
Khursa is now awaiting a military doctor’s decision on whether he must return to the front as contract soldiers have to stay in the fight until the end of the war. He says he has shrapnel near his heart, but does not see a civilian future for himself. “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.”
**Commentary**
The BBC’s investigation highlights the dark underbelly of President Putin’s plan to treble the size of the Russian army by relying on financial incentives. The stories of soldiers being robbed and scammed by government officials are a stark reminder that the system fails those who put their lives on the line.
As the war in Ukraine continues, it is essential to shine a light on these cases of police corruption, theft, and scams. It is crucial to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and ensure that servicemen receive the respect and compensation they deserve.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
