Investigation Reveals Criminal Records Among Russian Soldiers on State Billboards
Official propaganda campaigns feature soldiers with criminal histories and alleged war crimes.
1Propaganda Campaign Analysis
Russian cities feature thousands of billboards showcasing soldiers fighting in Ukraine. While the Defense Ministry presents these individuals as national heroes, an investigation by the news outlet Bumaga reveals that official biographies often omit critical details. The campaign utilizes a centralized database to maintain a public image of military valor.
2Methodology of Investigation
Journalists identified 24 soldiers on St. Petersburg billboards by cross-referencing public imagery with government registries and social media profiles. The research team analyzed the Defense Ministry’s 'Real Heroes' website, which contained 737 profiles as of October 2026. They compared these names against war-dead lists, probate records, and human rights reports.
3Omissions in Biographies
The official profiles provided by the Defense Ministry are intentionally limited, typically displaying only names and ranks. Many entries lack essential biographical data like birthplaces or ages, complicating identification. Journalists noted that some soldiers are listed only by call signs, which effectively masks their true identities and potential criminal backgrounds.
4Case Study: Pavel Zamokin
Pavel Zamokin, a mobilized soldier from Moscow, appeared on billboards despite a troubled personal history. After suffering a nervous breakdown and a schizophrenia diagnosis, he was returned to his unit. Leaked databases indicate he was later listed as wanted for going absent without leave, highlighting the complexity behind the heroic imagery.
5Criminal Records Exposed
The investigation discovered that some featured soldiers have significant criminal records. For instance, Nikita Syromyatnikov, who received the title of Hero of Russia, was previously convicted twice for theft. Official state biographies completely ignore these legal issues, focusing instead on battlefield achievements to bolster the image of the Russian military.
6Posthumous Billboard Features
Some soldiers appear on billboards long after their deaths in combat. Sergeant Pyotr Mandzhiyev, who died in 2024, was featured on a St. Petersburg banner a year and a half later. His photograph was digitally altered to include the Order of Courage, an honor he received only after his death.
7Scale of Advertising
The campaign is managed by Russ Outdoor, Russia's largest advertising firm, which utilizes approximately 70,000 displays across 380 cities. While government agencies are legally entitled to 5% of ad space, Russ reportedly allocated 10% to these military portraits. The company is linked to wealthy senator Suleiman Kerimov, who maintains close Kremlin ties.
8War Crimes Allegations
Journalists cross-checked billboard subjects against ongoing war crimes investigations. By March 2026, Ukrainian prosecutors had documented over 210,000 alleged crimes by Russian forces. While only a fraction of these cases have led to convictions, the presence of suspected perpetrators on state-sponsored billboards underscores the disconnect between official narratives and documented reality.
9Recruitment and PR Goals
The billboards serve as a primary tool for the Defense Ministry’s public relations and recruitment efforts. By showcasing 'Real Heroes,' the state aims to normalize the conflict and encourage contract military service. The use of QR codes and web addresses links the public directly to state-controlled narratives about the ongoing war.
10Inconsistencies in Reporting
The investigation faced significant hurdles due to the lack of transparency in official military records. Misspellings, such as the case of Dolaan Sat, suggest a lack of rigorous verification in the ministry's database. These errors, combined with obscured faces, indicate that the campaign prioritizes volume and messaging over factual accuracy.
11Family Perspectives
Families of featured soldiers often express confusion regarding their loved ones' inclusion in the campaign. Relatives of Pavel Zamokin noted that he was mobilized after losing his job and facing personal tragedies. The public display of these portraits can cause significant emotional distress, as seen when family members mistake banners for obituaries.
12Broader Societal Impact
This investigation highlights the state's effort to curate a sanitized version of the war for domestic consumption. By blending the images of career soldiers, mobilized draftees, and individuals with criminal pasts, the government creates a uniform narrative of heroism. This strategy effectively obscures the human cost and legal complexities of the conflict.