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The shape of a potential peace agreement in Ukraine remains uncertain, but a deal appears closer than ever. […] Meanwhile, according to the Telegram channel Faridaily, the Kremlin is already preparing for one of the biggest challenges Russian society will face when the war ends: the return of hundreds of thousands of traumatized soldiers. Meduza shares the channel’s findings in English.

[…]

The sources predicted a range of major societal issues, including:

  • Rampant drug and alcohol abuse: Many returning soldiers are likely to turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with their physical and emotional trauma, experts told Faridaily. “The first year after the war will be a year of heavy drinking,” a source from Russia’s Labor Ministry said. A veterans’ rehabilitation specialist noted that many who have already returned with injuries, concussions, or lost limbs are struggling to reintegrate into civilian life — especially in rural areas — and have started drinking heavily. One government source said that many veterans return from the war with a deep sense of grievance: “I’m a hero, I fought for you, and you’re just worthless cowards who stayed behind.”
  • Unemployment, crime, and debt: Having earned millions of rubles (equal to tens of thousands of dollars) on military contracts, many soldiers may be unwilling to take low-paying civilian jobs. A federal official warned that this could leave psychologically traumatized individuals — many accustomed to violence and familiar with weapons — without a stable income, likely driving a surge in crime. As their quality of life declines, former soldiers are also expected to take out loans en masse, a source at a state-affiliated think tank told Faridaily.
  • Workplace difficulties: Employers will face challenges as they are legally required to hold jobs open for returning soldiers, Faridaily’s sources said. Veterans will be difficult to fire, yet many may be considered “problem employees” due to alcoholism and antisocial behavior. “The best-case scenario is that they’ll be paid just to stay away from the workplace,” a Labor Ministry source predicted.
  • Domestic violence and unplanned pregnancies: The return of soldiers from the front won’t necessarily be the joyful reunion many families anticipate, Faridaily writes. Wives, in particular, will be at high risk of facing violence from men with PTSD. Experts told the channel it will take at least a year or two for many veterans to readjust to family life. The Labor Ministry also expects a rise in unplanned pregnancies, while a government-affiliated think tank predicts a postwar baby boom. However, the sources said a steady, controlled increase in birth rates or the formation of stable new families is unlikely.

[…]

  • MaggiWuerze@feddit.org
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    11 hours ago

    I’m fairly certain most Russians are aware of that fact. They don’t need soldiers to tell them that.
    And I also don’t believe that anything will happen on the russian side. they would rather let people starve than endanger their return to a war focused economy.

    • ℍ𝕂-𝟞𝟝@sopuli.xyz
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      10 hours ago

      That said, soldiers tend to have less fear compared to the average civilian since what could Putin do to them that the war didn’t already? They are used to the thought of possible death every day.

      The great monarchies of Europe were all toppled by soldiers returning from the fronts.