Murphy's Law: Russian Navy Crippled by Corruption
Ezoic
August24, 2025: By the end of 2023, the Russian Black Sea Fleet was largely destroyed by Ukrainian airborne and naval drones, as well as land-based anti-ship missiles. About a third of the Russian ships survived and took refuge 488 kilometers away in the Sea of Azov. There, the Black Sea Fleet remains while repairs are carried out on damaged ships and crews undergo training. This did not resolve the issue, as a larger problem emerged: sailors were being sent to Ukraine as infantry. This practice extended beyond the Black Sea Fleet, with Russian generals also mobilizing sailors from the Baltic, Northern, and Pacific fleets. The army even conscripted shipyard workers. Compounding these issues is persistent corruption. Even during wartime, corruption persists among shipyard workers, managers, and equipment suppliers. Russian government and military officials often view the war not as a national emergency but as an opportunity to enrich themselves by misappropriating funds intended for the war effort.
This situation is not new. The poor performance of Russian troops in Ukraine stems significantly from endemic corruption within the Russian military. These wasteful practices, longstanding in Russian military tradition, contribute to its historical underperformance. Young men from wealthy families can pay approximately $500 to avoid military service or deployment to Ukraine. Those in combat zones can pay over $10,000 for a certificate of combat injuries, accompanied by a medical discharge from the military. For those remaining in service, bribes secure extended leave to visit family and friends (costing nearly $1,000), promotions, certificates of physical fitness, or even a military driver’s license for those unqualified to drive. Bribes also help soldiers avoid punishment for using cellphones in combat zones.
Most Russian soldiers lack the financial resources to bribe their way out of trouble or danger. Consequently, poorer soldiers face higher risks of death, while those with wealthy families often survive and return home with purchased certificates of honorable combat service.
https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmurph/articles/20250824201614.aspx#gsc.tab=0
