Crash, Death, and Immunity: A Family Wiped Out in Belgorod

In this episode of From Russia with Crime, we tell the story of a devastating car crash in Russia’s Belgorod region that killed an entire family — and the soldier responsible who never faced prison. In June 2024, Nikolai Ostryakov lost control of his car and collided with a vehicle carrying two parents and their three children. Three people died, including a one-year-old girl. Two children survived with severe injuries. Despite the scale of the tragedy, the criminal case against Ostryakov was closed due to his participation in the war in Ukraine and his subsequent discharge from military service. Instead of a prison sentence, the case ended with financial compensation — far below what prosecutors demanded. We also examine other disturbing cases: a soldier sent to catch deserters who became one himself, and a growing number of violent crimes committed by servicemen who left their units. Based on court data, at least 144 such cases involve desertion combined with murder or deadly violence.