Bribes and Extortion at the Front: How Corruption Works in the Army

Bribes and extortion at the front. How does corruption work in the Russian army? And how much does it cost to go on leave or avoid being sent into an assault?

Russian commanders at the front demand bribes from servicemen for virtually everything. Payments are required to avoid deadly assaults, take leave, or even use a bathhouse.

Prices range from 50,000 to several million rubles. Those who refuse to pay risk retaliation from their superiors.

How does this corruption system function? Why doesn’t it provoke outrage among those serving? And how much do servicemen lose, many of whom go to war primarily for money?

We discuss this with Ira Novik, journalist and author of the book “I Am a Deserter,” who wrote for Meduza a report on wartime bribery.

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How corruption works at the front

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