Captured Evader from Volgograd Region Military Contractor Unit
In a twist of events, authorities in the Volgograd region nabbed a Russian conscript who had skipped out on his military duties. According to RIA Novosti's report, backed by the FSB, this deserter was caught up in the illegal distribution of hefty quantities of synthetic drugs for resale.
Close to 400 grams of illicit narcotics were confiscated from the deserter. The FSB alleged that he intended to peddle these banned substances within the region, employing intermediaries for the transactions.
Subsequently, authorities launched a criminal investigation against the deserter, charging him with two offenses: desertion and attempted drug trafficking.
It's worth noting that this isn't his first brush with the law. In the past, he served a sentence for theft. In 2024, he signed a one-year contract with the Russian Defense Ministry, but later deserted. Law enforcement managed to apprehend him only in May this year.
Interestingly, prior to this incident, he had deserted a training ground in the Voronezh region just four days after penning a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry.
Desertion in the Russian military, particularly during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, has seen an alarming surge. By early 2025, it was reported that over a million Russian soldiers had either been killed, disabled, or deserted from the conflict in Ukraine[3]. In 2024 alone, Russian courts were convicting around 800 soldiers each month for desertion[2]. This high rate of desertion is attributed to factors such as poor conditions, lack of equipment, and growing discontent among soldiers[3].
The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has tried to combat desertion by intensifying punishments and expanding law enforcement authority[1]. Moreover, they are pursuing mandatory genomic registration for servicemen to create a unified state database for better monitoring and tracking of military personnel[1].
While there isn't extensive documentation on drug trafficking among conscripts, there are reports indicating rising levels of alcoholism, corruption, and brutality within the Russian military[4]. These issues, coupled with the breakdown in discipline and the influx of conscripts fighting for financial gain, foster an environment where criminal attitudes and hostility towards authority thrive[4].
Russian servicemen convicted of desertion face severe legal penalties, including imprisonment. Beyond legal repercussions, deserters may face social stigma and struggles reintegrating into civilian life. Involvement in drug trafficking would likely lead to disciplinary action, followed by court-martial and imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the offense. The high rate of desertion and the emergence of criminal behavior within the Russian military pose significant challenges in maintaining discipline and stability within the armed forces.
In light of the drug trafficking charges, this deserter's case is currently under investigation in the realms of both desertion and crime-and-justice. His alleged illegal activities, including the distribution of synthetic drugs, put him squarely in the crosshairs of prosecution beyond desertion charges.
