• The Snark Urge@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Every army has its share of Ed Gallaghers, sure. But it seems like the Russians have like… a lot of sociopaths. Something to do with recruiting from prisons, or just the disquieting power of hateful state media?

    • loutr@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      Hazing in the Russian military (dedovshchina) is horrifying, straight up torture, mutilation and even murder. Families often use their entire savings to bribe officials so their sons aren’t conscripted. So the Russian military is made up of the dregs of society, people so destitute they can’t pay their way out of military service. Mental health issues are prevalent, either from their past life or from the hazing itself.