Moscow is allegedly failing to inform family members when a soldier dies in the war with Ukraine to avoid compensating the loved ones, according to a phone call intercepted by Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR). In the call, a Russian soldier mentions that the Kremlin has been listing deceased fighters as “missing” instead of dead to avoid paying compensation. Reports have surfaced that Russia was finding ways to avoid fulfilling its promise to compensate families of soldiers killed in war, including leaving bodies on the battlefield because it would not be profitable to bring them home.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree in January 2023, promising to pay beneficiaries of deceased servicemen 5 million rubles, or $53,800. Troops who are injured on the battlefield qualify for a payment of 3 million rubles ($32,280). However, reports suggest that families of deceased soldiers have not been receiving the promised compensation, and injured soldiers have not been receiving the appropriate medical treatment. One instance cited was a soldier who was severely injured but only received two buckets of carrots and a bag of onions instead of the promised money. His wife reported that he was in extreme pain and required knee surgery but was sent back to battle without the operation.
The HUR, Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, posted a telephone conversation on Telegram where a Russian soldier was heard discussing the practice of listing deceased soldiers as “missing” to avoid paying compensation to their families. The soldier mentioned that it was beneficial for the Kremlin to say a soldier was missing so they wouldn’t have to pay for him, even if they hadn’t heard from him for a month and a half. This practice is alleged to be a part of Russia’s strategy to avoid fulfilling its promise to compensate families of soldiers killed in the war with Ukraine.
In June 2023, the mother of Russian soldier Mikhail Cherkasov revealed that her son had been killed in the war, but Russia’s military reportedly left his body on the battlefield because it would not be profitable to bring him home. Reports have also surfaced of injured soldiers not receiving the appropriate medical treatment and compensation promised by the Russian government. One soldier, severely injured along the front lines, only received vegetables instead of the promised financial aid, and his wife reported that he was in extreme pain and needed surgery but was sent back to battle without the operation.
The HUR’s report on Russia concealing its soldiers’ deaths from family members to avoid paying compensation suggests a pattern of neglect and lack of accountability within the Russian military. It highlights the challenges faced by families of deceased soldiers and injured servicemen in receiving the support and compensation they are entitled to. The alleged practices raise concerns about the treatment of soldiers and their families in the midst of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and the responsibilities of the Russian government to ensure the well-being of its military personnel.
