Non-Combat Life Loss in the Russian Army

According to the BBC article with reference to the Russian defence ministry, 471 Russian military personnel died in non-combat incidents in 2008: 121 deaths were caused by accidents; 19, by the mishandling of weapons; 26 personnel were murdered or died as a result of "negligence;" while the overwhelming majority of life loss, 231 deaths, were suicides.

The most common reason for suicide is bullying, often extremely violent, which is widespread among Russian troops. In May 2008 chief military prosecutor Sergei Fridinsky stated that the numbers of suicides were worrying and called for a national strategy to prepare men for service.

The Russian military has an estimated 1.2 million uniformed personnel. All male citizens between 18 and 27 must serve at least 12 months; but as the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow observes, the dangers and hardship of life in the armed forces even in peacetime make many men keen to avoid service.