From Russia with Fear

Back to the Battlefield: When Even Amputees Cannot Leave the Army

Episode Summary

In this episode of From Russia with Fear, we investigate disturbing reports that severely wounded Russian soldiers — including amputees and men declared unfit for service — are being forced back into military units and sometimes even sent to the front again. Through the stories of Ivan Topchiy, Dmitry Mishin, Yevgeny Nazarov, and Sergey Sapozhnikov, the episode reveals how injured troops struggle to obtain discharge, medical treatment, or basic legal protection. Lawyers and military bloggers warn that the practice has become widespread since late 2024. As the number of disabled veterans grows into the hundreds of thousands, many wounded soldiers face a grim reality: even losing a limb may not be enough to escape the war.In this episode of From Russia with Fear, we investigate disturbing reports that severely wounded Russian soldiers — including amputees and men declared unfit for service — are being forced back into military units and sometimes even sent to the front again. Through the stories of Ivan Topchiy, Dmitry Mishin, Yevgeny Nazarov, and Sergey Sapozhnikov, the episode reveals how injured troops struggle to obtain discharge, medical treatment, or basic legal protection. Lawyers and military bloggers warn that the practice has become widespread since late 2024. As the number of disabled veterans grows into the hundreds of thousands, many wounded soldiers face a grim reality: even losing a limb may not be enough to escape the war.

Episode Notes

In this episode of From Russia with Fear, we investigate disturbing reports that severely wounded Russian soldiers — including amputees and men declared unfit for service — are being forced back into military units and sometimes even sent to the front again. Through the stories of Ivan Topchiy, Dmitry Mishin, Yevgeny Nazarov, and Sergey Sapozhnikov, the episode reveals how injured troops struggle to obtain discharge, medical treatment, or basic legal protection. Lawyers and military bloggers warn that the practice has become widespread since late 2024. As the number of disabled veterans grows into the hundreds of thousands, many wounded soldiers face a grim reality: even losing a limb may not be enough to escape the war.