What Data Reveal About Russian Soldiers Serving In Ukraine

Socio-economic data from analysis of Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine reveal that 20% are from Russia's ten most economically depressed regions and 80% are from those plus semi-depressed areas. There are also disproportionately large numbers of Russian ethnic minorities killed in action. There are, to date, no KIAs from Moscow or most other relatively prosperous areas. 

The data suggest that most Russian soldiers are poorly educated, from rural backgrounds and for whom the army may be the only way out of poverty. JL 

Olga Ivshina reports in Twitter:

20% of officially confirmed losses come from Russia's 10 most depressed regions (plus Dagestan). If we add numbers from semi-depressed regions - it will be roughly 80% of all losses reported by Russian official sources (ie local officials, media and schools). "Migrants who didn't get a good education and didn't find a better job in Russia find army career quite attractive. And strong propaganda adds to it.” The Russian army is an important employer for people from places where it is almost impossible to earn money. There are zero (!) reports about military casualties from Moscow. Regions that reported the highest number of the losses are so called depressed or semi depressed, ie areas with high unemployment and a low standard of living. In Dagestan (93 reported deaths) or Buryatia (53 rep. deaths) it’s very hard to find a job (let alone well paid job.

 

In #Dagestan unemployment rate is 15% (compared to average 4% in #Russia), average salary - 400 USD. If one joins army as private they can around 500 USD, but army also provide them food, uniform and a place to live. So a bigger part of the salary remains in your pocket.  

During “special operations” salary of a private infantryman of Russian army can reach 2.200 USD because of bonuses. Or even 2.600 USD if you are a sergeant or corporal. This is huge money for those living in the regions.  

20% of officially confirmed losses come from 10 Russia's depressed regions (plus Dagestan). If we add numbers from semi-depressed regions - it will be roughly 80% of all losses reported by Russian official sources (ie local officials, media and schools). Striking example - there are zero(!) reports about military casualties from Moscow. Even Ukrainian sources never mentioned anyone from Moscow city, who was captured or killed in Ukraine. 

It can have 2 explanations: 1) there are very few military units in Moscow itself 2) people from the capital don't join military that often. But people from Russian regions do. Many males from small towns and villages see army as the only social lift available.  

Russian army is an important employer for people from places where it is almost impossible to earn money. "Joining the army gives them a stable salary and sense security" - experts told BBC.  

This is Mikhail Garmaev from Siberia. He finished school,went to college, dropped out, joined the army (as a conscript).Then returned home, got a job(installing alarm systems).But soon he returned to army (becoming a prof soldier. On March 6 he was killed near Kiev. Typical story.

 And there are many similar stories if you read biographies of Russian servicemen killed in Ukraine (especially non-officers). Young males in Russian regions study, then try and fail to find a stable job that will allow them to provide for their families. What is left? the Army.  

Coffins with Russian soldiers KIA in #Ukraine started coming to other countries of the former USSR. We know at least about 2 funerals in #Kyrgyzstan, 2 in #Tajikistan and 1 in breakaway region of South Ossetia (part of Georgia controlled by Russia since 2008). All of them were technically citizens of Russia, who joined the Army. 

Egemberdi Dorboev lived in Siberia with his mother. He joined the Army in November. 4 months later he was deployed to Ukraine and killed in action. 

 In early 2000s people from some post-Soviet countries aspired to join the Russian army, because it was a quick way to obtain Russian citizenship. Now there is no such path officially. But some loopholes remain. And again army is almost only social lift accessible for them.  

"Those migrants who didn't get good education and didn't find a better job in Russia find army career quite attractive. And strong propaganda adds to it”- explains human rights activist Svetlana Gannushkina.  

With all that in mind - some aspects of Russian soldiers' behaviour in Ukraine look not surprising at all.