By Donating to Ukraine War-Related Causes, Russians Accused of Various Crimes Now Getting Off without Punishment, ‘Novaya Gazeta Europe' Says

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Aug. 10 – A prominent feature of the Russian legal system since the start of Putin's expanded war in Ukraine in 2022 has been that Russians incarcerated for various crimes, including the most serious, have seen their sentences mitigated or even voided altogether, if they agree to go to fight in Ukraine, an arrangement clearly set up to fill the depleted ranks of Russian forces. 

            But now, according to a report by Novaya Gazeta Europe journalist Dariya Talanova, this system has expanded in a new and even more disturbing way. In recen ttimes, those who are accused of crimes can often get off without punishment not by agreeing to serve but rather if they make contributions to Ukraine-war related causes (novayagazeta.eu/articles/2026/08/10/donat-vmesto-sroka).

            That practice, the media journalist says, has grown out of a Russian judicial tradition of reducing sentences in cases where the accused shows remorse by making contributions to charitable causes related to the crimes he or she is accused of such as making contributions to orphanages when these crimes have cost children their parents.

            But in the last several years, she continues, this long-standing practice has expanded to allow those accused of various crimes to have their sentences reduced or voided if they give money to support the Russian fighters in Ukraine or to humanitarian efforts intended to help those who have suffered from the conflict.

            The journalist provides examples of such transactions although admits that she does not know how widespread it is. But if it spreads and becomes more widely known, it is likely to outrage those who have suffered from the crimes people are escaping punishment from simply by giving money to the front.

            Not only will such a development harm the reputation of Russian prosecutors and judges, but it will exacerbate class antagonisms, given that only those with money will be able to buy their way out of punishment. Those without such cash in contrast will either have to accept prison or service in the front lines.