By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Russian military commanders are reportedly misclassifying missing soldiers as deserters to conceal the true extent of battlefield losses. This practice allows Russia to avoid paying social benefits to families of the deceased and obscure the actual casualty figures. An investigation by IStories revealed widespread falsification of documents across multiple Russian units, with soldiers often labeled as deserters even after their deaths. This tactic is supported by a significant increase in cases processed by military courts seeking to declare individuals missing or deceased, as well as a high number of officially recorded deserters.
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Russian soldiers missing in action labeled deserters to mask casualty figures, media reports, are emerging as a significant concern, painting a grim picture of the ongoing conflict. The practice, seemingly widespread, involves reclassifying soldiers initially reported as missing in action (MIA) as deserters. This maneuver, unfortunately, serves a specific purpose, effectively manipulating the true casualty figures and, crucially, avoiding the financial obligations that come with acknowledging a soldier’s death.
The sheer scale of this alleged deception is quite staggering. The reports suggest that in 2024 alone, a staggering number of soldiers, potentially as high as 50,500, have been labeled as deserters. This translates to an average of approximately 136 Russians being designated as having abandoned their posts every single day. Consider the implications of this; it suggests an enormous problem that’s happening right now. That many deserters should seem, on the face of it, highly unlikely.
The motivation behind this, sadly, is quite clear. The Russian government is apparently attempting to avoid paying the insurance and other compensation benefits to the families of those soldiers. By categorizing a soldier as a deserter, the government can conveniently sidestep the legal and financial requirements associated with a confirmed death in action. The line, “Our soldiers aren’t all dead, they just ran away” feels like a hollow attempt to soften the blow and diminish the loss.
The strategy of labeling soldiers as deserters isn’t merely a cynical attempt to manipulate numbers. It’s a cost-saving measure, especially when the budget for a war is already strained. This tactic, sadly, is not entirely new. Historical precedents, such as the actions of the USSR during World War II, show a similar pattern of handling casualties and the financial impact on the state.
The implications for families of missing soldiers are devastating. With their loved ones being classified as deserters, families are denied the proper acknowledgement of their loss, preventing any financial support or help. This adds to the pain and trauma these families must endure, facing an uncertain future. Imagine the anguish of not knowing your loved one’s fate and then being informed they simply abandoned their post.
Given the nature of the conflict, and the conditions Russian soldiers face, it’s understandable that some might try to flee. The reports of a ‘meat grinder’ war, where soldiers are used as cannon fodder, make the decision to flee, sadly, more understandable.
This strategy is not without its ironies. The very people the government hopes will fight and possibly die for their cause are denied acknowledgment of their sacrifice. If soldiers signed up “volutarily” as they were only doing it to get paid, there’s a lack of patriotic and nationalistic fervor. And who can blame them when the government itself is dishonest in reporting losses.
It’s critical to acknowledge those attempting to whitewash and excuse this, it shows their lack of support to the Ukrainian people. To blame the west for the war is an attempt at shifting responsibility, trying to deflect blame from the realities of this war. This can be seen to be a distraction from the fundamental issues at stake.
The act of labeling soldiers as deserters isn’t just a statistical manipulation; it represents a deeper problem of dishonesty, lack of accountability, and a disregard for human life. It speaks volumes about the values the government has chosen to prioritize during this conflict.
The evidence strongly suggests a systematic effort to downplay the true costs of the war. The reclassification of missing soldiers as deserters, is a tool to shape a narrative, to control information and to maintain the illusion of strength and victory. This, in the end, is a tragedy for the soldiers and a disgrace to the government.