Russia is experiencing a significant surge in crime and lawlessness, with serious crimes reaching their highest level in 15 years. In 2025, the country recorded 627,900 serious crimes, signaling a systemic deterioration of law and order according to reports.
The current situation draws parallels to the period following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, when organized crime groups seized control of factories and banks, and Russia faced some of the world’s highest murder rates between 1990 and 1994. While overall crime had decreased since that chaotic era, there is now a spike in violent crimes, particularly murders.
The Influence of Military Veterans
The ongoing war in Ukraine is fueling this increase in violence. Returning veterans, many struggling with substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are contributing to a rise in firearm violence and murders, often targeting family members. Organized crime is seeing a resurgence as veterans bring combat skills and black-market weapons into the country.
Legal protections for military personnel have created a disparity in sentencing. Under legislation signed by President Vladimir Putin, soldiers who commit violent crimes, including sexual assaults and murders, often receive lighter sentences or avoid prison entirely due to their veteran status. For example, soldier Eduard Bitarov avoided imprisonment after being convicted of killing his wife in 2023 in a fit of rage.
Geographic Spread and Police Shortages
Crime was previously concentrated in major cities such as Saint Petersburg, Moscow, and Nizhny Novgorod. However, since the invasion of Ukraine, criminal activity has spread to socially and economically disadvantaged regions, including Yakutia, Dagestan, Buryatia, Tatarstan, Krasnodar Krai, and Bashkortostan. Border regions have seen a sharp rise in firearm crimes, with some areas reporting triple-digit increases.
This crisis is further exacerbated by a critical shortage of personnel within police forces.
Legal Disparities and War Crimes
While veterans receive leniency, critics of the military face severe penalties. Politician Lev Shlosberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison and one month in a penal colony for spreading false information and discrediting the armed forces.
The violence extends beyond Russian borders. A recent United Nations report indicates that over 1,000 cases of sexual violence against civilians have been recorded in Ukraine, with Russian military personnel responsible for nearly 90% of those documented cases.
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