Russian Military Labels Missing Soldiers AWOL to Avoid Paying Families
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Russian military units are declaring soldiers who go missing in Ukraine as absent without leave (AWOL), cutting off their pay and denying death benefits to their families. Mothers Marina from Kemerovo and Larisa from Rostov have been fighting to change the status of their missing relatives after they lost contact in 2025. The practice has forced families into costly legal battles and drawn criticism for exploiting a loophole to save state funds.
Missing in Action or AWOL?
When soldiers vanish, families often learn through Defense Ministry hotlines that they have been declared AWOL. Marina’s son was on a combat mission on July 20, 2025, when he sent a last message about being lightly wounded; ten days later, an officer said he was fine, but communication stopped. Over a year later, she suspects he is dead, not a deserter. Similarly, Larisa’s husband was declared AWOL in December 2025 after his unit reported intense fighting with no chance to evacuate.
Financial Motive
Declaring a soldier AWOL immediately suspends his pay and voids any death or missing-in-action benefits for the family. These benefits include preferential access to education and one-time payments. The average contract soldier's pay is significantly higher than civilian wages, making the loss devastating. The Russian state saves millions of rubles by not paying families for soldiers it cannot account for.
Costly Legal Battles
Marina has spent 200,000 rubles ($2,500) and two lawyers to take her case to court. Many families lack the resources to challenge the military’s decision. Larisa, caring for an infant and another child, cannot afford legal fees. Complaints to unit commanders and the Defense Ministry rarely succeed, as the system favors the AWOL designation.
What's Next
A court ruling in Marina’s case may set a precedent, but legal experts caution that military courts overwhelmingly uphold such classifications. It remains unclear how many families currently face this situation or whether the Defense Ministry will address the practice.
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Russian Military Labels Missing Soldiers AWOL to Avoid Paying Families
