Pardoned, Armed, and Untouchable? Russia’s Troubling Cycle of Violence

A Russian army sergeant shoots at conscripts to force them to work and receives only a suspended sentence. A pardoned soldier deserts the front, threatens teenagers with a knife, and still receives leniency because of his military service. A former police officer convicted of killing his wife leaves prison for war, returns home, and demands a place in the lives of the children he orphaned. In this episode of From Russia with Fear, we examine three disturbing cases that expose the growing connection between military service, reduced accountability, and violent crime in Russia. From abuse of power inside the army to domestic violence and crimes against children, these stories reveal a justice system where punishment can become negotiable and victims are often left behind.