In Russia, the adaptation of returning soldiers is a major concern. The police force is already understaffed, and there are fears that the returning soldiers, accustomed to violence and suffering from PTSD, will destabilize society. Proposed solutions, such as deploying them to occupied Ukrainian territories or sending them to Siberia, face significant opposition and practical challenges. The economic climate in Russia cannot support competitive wages for these returning soldiers, and historical parallels to the Afghan war veterans suggest they may face social ostracism. There's a notable distinction between true combat veterans and "pseudo-veterans" who use military service for career advancement.
Returning Soldiers and Societal Stability #
- Social Bomb: Returning soldiers are viewed as a potential destabilizing force due to their different income expectations and lifestyle adaptations from the war.
- No Return to Civilian Life: Many believe these soldiers will not return to mainstream Russian life.
- "No War, No Peace" Scenario: A prolonged state of "neither war nor peace" with Ukraine is anticipated, with no long-term peace agreement.
- Deployment to Occupied Territories: Soldiers are expected to remain in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, serving in garrisons and military towns.
- Fear of Returning to Central Russia: Authorities are apprehensive about allowing these soldiers back into central Russia due to fears of inability to control them.
- Police Inability to Cope: The police force is already understaffed by approximately 150,000 personnel and has stated its inability to handle hundreds of thousands of returning soldiers accustomed to violence and suffering from PTSD.
- Proposed "Crazed Ideas":
- Army Supervision: One idea suggests assigning an army officer to each soldier, acting like a parole officer, to control them in civilian life; however, this is considered unlikely to be implemented.
- Resettlement in Siberia: Another idea proposes sending all returning soldiers to Siberia, providing them with land and grants, to keep them out of Western Russia. This idea was met with disapproval by Siberians and is not expected to be popular among the soldiers themselves.
- Economic Challenges: The Russian economy cannot offer competitive salaries comparable to what soldiers earn during the war, exacerbated by economic decline and lack of jobs.
- Historical Precedent (Afghan War): The situation is compared to the return of soldiers from the Soviet-Afghan War, who faced lack of support, ostracism, and difficulty integrating back into society, leading to the formation of veteran groups advocating for their rights.
- Two Groups of Veterans (SVO):
- "Pseudo-Veterans": Officials who serve in safe, non-combat zones to receive veteran status and advance their careers within the state apparatus.
- True Combat Veterans: Those who fought in the trenches are expected to be marginalized, potentially imprisoned, and will not find competitive employment in the job market.
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