After a string of brutal crimes committed in his native village, Viktor Savvinov, a former convict turned mercenary, has once again highlighted the disturbing consequences of Russia’s practice of recruiting inmates as soldiers. Savvinov had already served time for robbery, auto theft, and assault before murdering a female drinking companion in 2020. Sentenced to 11 years in a maximum-security prison, Savvinov was later recruited by the private Wagner mercenary group to fight in Ukraine, promising him freedom and a fresh start upon completion of his service.
Returning to his village of Kutana in Siberia, Savvinov’s violent tendencies resurfaced. In a drunken rage on Defenders of the Fatherland Day, he killed two villagers, including his estranged aunt, in a brutal attack involving a metal crowbar and an ax. This pattern of recidivism among pardoned Wagner recruits has raised serious concerns about the repercussions of Russia’s recruitment strategy.
While official data on recidivist crimes is scarce due to government restrictions, reports suggest that at least 190 criminal cases were initiated against former Wagner mercenaries in 2023, with charges ranging from murder to rape and robbery. Despite these alarming trends, the Kremlin has reinforced its policy of recruiting convicts, with President Vladimir V. Putin signing a new law to formalize the process.
The impact of these policies is evident in communities across Russia, where residents live in fear of pardoned criminals returning home and committing new atrocities. From strangling prostitutes to raping schoolgirls, the crimes committed by these veterans have left a trail of devastation. Yet, the government’s reluctance to address the issue publicly has only fueled concerns about the safety of communities affected by these individuals.
As the stories of these crimes come to light, it becomes clear that the consequences of Russia’s recruitment practices extend far beyond the battlefield. With pardoned convicts returning to civilian life with little to no rehabilitation, the cycle of violence perpetuated by these individuals poses a significant challenge to law enforcement and communities alike. As the debate over the ethics of recruiting convicts continues, the victims and survivors of these crimes are left to grapple with the aftermath of a system that has failed them.