There are many indications that there are problems with discipline in the Russian army, writes the British Ministry of Defense in an analysis from May 24. Among other things, more have been prosecuted for absence from military service this year than all of last year.
The daily update from the British Ministry of Defense focuses on the discipline of the Russian army. An investigation by independent Russian journalists shows that 1,053 cases of military personnel absent from duty have been taken up in court this year – more than in all of last year, the ministry writes Twitter.
The Russian army has struggled to maintain loyalty within the army since the invasion of Ukraine, according to the department’s analysis, but the problems are likely to have worsened since a forced mobilization last October.
Punishment: Return to the arm
The court documents from Russia suggest that those found guilty of unauthorized absences from the military are not punished immediately, but are allowed to return to the army with a sentence that is forfeited at some point in the future.
The strategy to maintain discipline in the Russian army appears to be to fire up patriotism and make a warning example of deserters, the British Ministry of Defense analysis says.