Russian War Veterans Returning Home with Sense That They can Get Away with Anything, Leading to Spike in Hooliganism, Experts Say

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Oct. 29 – Over the last year as the number of veterans of Putin’s war in Ukraine has risen the number of those in the Russian Federation convicted of hooliganism has almost doubled, the result, experts say, of veterans assuming that because of their sacrifices, they can get away with anything.

            According to court records, the number of men found guilty of hooliganism has increased from 425 in the first half of 2024 to 767 in the first half of 2025, making it “one of the most rapidly growing categories of crimes which lead to real sentences,” Point Media says (pointmedia.io/story/6901d059e657f59b666dce42).

            Psychologists with whom the independent media outlet spoke said that many of those involved are veterans who have suffered from the stress of combat and now, on their return, believe they are entitled to act as they see fit regardless of the laws and rules of behavior in the Russian Federation.