In Russia, there is a bonus system for Ministry of Internal Affairs employees for sending detainees to the war with Ukraine. As discovered by «Verstka», after speaking with police officers, investigators, lawyers, and judges, a payment of 10,000 to 100,000 rubles is made for each recruited individual. Almost 12% go to war before trial and investigation.
Police officers are required to offer a contract with the Ministry of Defense to the suspect even before the first interrogation — at the moment of explaining their rights. Anyone can go to war, except for those involved in criminal cases of a «terrorist» nature, cases related to «treason» or «espionage», and alleged pedophiles. But in reality, the contract is offered to everyone indiscriminately.
For instance, in June 2025, a resident of the Komi Republic who confessed to sexual violence against a fourth-grader was invited to fight. He agreed to sign the contract, which was reported to the curator — but later, the man's case was still sent to court.
If a detainee agrees to go to war, the proceedings on their case are suspended, the preventive measure is canceled, and criminal prosecution in the future is terminated under non-rehabilitative circumstances. According to lawyers, they will not be convicted if they return from the war with an award, injury, or do not return at all.
The interests of the victims are not considered in this scheme: it is impossible to demand any compensation from a suspect who has gone to war, and civil claims will only be considered after the completion of the Special Military Operation — and only if the defendant is alive.
About one in ten agrees to sign a contract, according to data available to «Verstka». In June alone, 3,333 detainees across the country were offered to go to war, according to Ministry of Internal Affairs data provided to the publication by one of the sources among the police. 2,200 people refused to sign the contract, and 392 agreed. The result is unknown for another 741 people who were offered the contract by operatives.
Among those who wanted to go to war with Ukraine, suspects in theft lead — 139 people, followed by accusations of drug possession and distribution — 53 people, then 33 detainees under the article «threat of murder», 27 — under the article «causing bodily harm», and 24 — under the article «fraud».
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