“It’s like Las Vegas”: Russian soldiers set up a drug network

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“They do it out of boredom,” a Russian soldier told the “Verstka” portal. «War always means waiting for something and sometimes praying for it to be over. When I was using drugs, I didn’t worry about possible paranoia. Boredom is much worse.” As Russian media reports, one in ten soldiers in a combat zone smokes marijuana, and many use stronger substances.

Drug couriers deliver cannabis, ‘bath salts’ (alpha-PVP), mephedrone and amphetamines directly to the trenches. The substances are easy to obtain: “It’s like Las Vegas,” says one of the soldiers. Moreover, everyone knows that consumption takes place in the trenches. “Nobody cares. The main thing is that you don’t bother anyone and don’t leave the trenches,” one of the consuming soldiers told “Verstka”.

Russians take over Ukrainian drug networks

The medicines are supplied and often manufactured by private individuals living in the occupied territories. Couriers even take the drugs to the front, but charge high prices because of the risk of being attacked. In some areas, Russian soldiers themselves have taken over existing drug networks. A resident of Kherson reports that “men in uniform” – reportedly from a Russian airborne force – tortured a local dealer into handing over supply routes to them.

According to a drug addict, prices have increased sixfold since the invasion in February 2022. The prices of medicines in the occupied territories are extremely high, but that does not stop soldiers from using them.

“You can’t refuse”

Even though drug use doesn’t seem to interest anyone, it does not go unpunished. Anyone caught red-handed must serve in a Storm Z-type penal battalion. “The people there are always at the front and under fire,” said one of the soldiers. Being sent to such a unit would be tantamount to a death sentence.

Drug cases are generally not investigated, says one of the soldiers. “No one needs a commission of inquiry here, and there will be no trial. You’re just transferred to another unit and turned into cannon fodder.” (gs)

Source: Blick