Russian contract soldier sent back to prison for murdering ‘rude’ civilian while AWOL

A Russian military court sentenced contract soldier Dmitry Shamanaev to 16 years in a maximum-security prison for murdering a civilian who was allegedly “rude” to him. The killing occurred during Shamanaev’s second unauthorized absence from his military unit. He was also convicted of stealing a mobile phone as well as his victim’s passport. 

Records show that Shamanaev has a long record of felony offenses, including a prior conviction for fatal assault. Court records suggest he signed his military contract while imprisoned. Russia’s recruitment of violent convicts has drawn international headlines throughout its invasion of Ukraine and raised concerns at home about the public’s safety, as these men return to civilian life while on leave or recuperating from injuries.