Russia reportedly experienced a devastating rise in alcohol-related crimes in the wake of Vladimir Putininvasion of Ukraine, RadarOnline.com has learned.
In a worrying development that comes nearly 15 months after the 70-year-old Russian leader launched his troops against Kiev, newly released crime statistics showed “alcohol abuse” and “alcohol-related crimes” have reached “record levels” in Russia.
Dmitry Tsybikovich Khobakovwho is a deputy prosecutor for the Russian Republic of Buryatia, revealed in a recent interview that nearly 5,000 alcohol-related crimes have occurred in his jurisdiction alone since the start of Putin’s conflict against Ukraine in February 2022.
“Unfortunately, the problem of alcohol abuse and the high rate of crimes committed under the influence remains one of the most pressing for our republic,” explains Khobakov, according to Daily star.
“In 2022, 3,862 crimes were committed under the influence, and 962 in the first three months of 2023,” the Russian prosecutor continued. “The main part consists of crimes against life and health, the offenses of repeated drunk driving and theft.”
“Of particular interest are the statistics of homicides and intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm,” Khobakov added, “nearly 95% of homicides and more than 60% of intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm in the past year were committed under the influence.”
According to recently released crime statistics, more than 100 cases of arson have occurred as a result of drunkenness – while 41 people have reportedly died as a result.
Khobakov blames the recent rise in alcohol-related crimes on the “failures” of Russian police and the “huge black market” for alcohol that emerged after Putin banned the sale of alcohol in 20 regions of Russia last year.
“Russian commanders are likely to view pervasive alcohol abuse as particularly detrimental to combat effectiveness,” the British Ministry of Defense said in an April. report.
“With heavy drinking now ubiquitous in much of Russian society, it has long been seen as a tacitly accepted part of military life,” the report added, “even during combat operations.”
Several Russian military personnel have now reportedly reported killed both themselves and their fellow troops while handling grenades under the influence of alcohol.