** The reuse of wounded soldiers: an alarming symptom of the military dilemmas of Russia **
The war in Ukraine revealed unimaginable suffering and unacceptable sacrifices. Recently, worrying information emerged concerning the way in which Russia manages its losses on the battlefield. Wounded soldiers, using crutches or having undergone recent surgical operations, are returned on the front line, illustrating an unprecedented despair and ethical issues on the management of military workforce. This particularly shocking practice, which might seem unimaginable in a modern military context, raises questions about the failure strategy and desperate reflexes of a loss of bearings.
### The shortage of human resources in context
Taking a step back and examining the situation reveals a reality of major concern: Russia, plagued by growing recruitment problems, seems to favor the quantity to the detriment of quality and the care to be given to its troops. In 2023, Russian losses, either because of the fighting, or for lack of adequate medical support, were estimated at more than 200,000 soldiers, which placed the Kremlin in a critical position. In comparison, according to defense data collected by independent military analysts, Ukrainian forces suffer from similar losses, but with much better access to medical care and more human management of the wounded.
The reasons for these new redeployment practices are multiple. On the one hand, Russia has clearly avoided general mobilization, aware that this decision could lead to general discontent within its urban population. On the other hand, increasing pressure to maintain an active front in the face of a determined Ukrainian resistance exacerbates the state dilemma. This phenomenon of “reuse” of wounded soldiers is a desperate strategy that reflects an inability to stabilize military efforts.
### Ethical testimonies and implications
The videos broadcast by soldiers and Ukrainian units serve as a dramatic illustration of this degradation. The testimonies of wounded soldiers, sometimes reduced to crumbs from their ancient, fighting ego, highlight the brutality of such a practice. One cannot help but think of the quality of life of a soldier in such conditions: to return to combat after an operation, knowing full well that the risk in the face of resilient Ukraine is much greater than ever. These practices raise ethical questions about the treatment of soldiers as a disposable tool, rather than men and women deserving compassion and care.
The fact that these soldiers are often forced to be seen fighting using crutches does not only dehumanize the soldier: this also raises fears about the future of the Russian army and the strategic vigilance of the military commandments. In a sense, this evokes disturbing parallels with historical events such as the first and the Second World War, where wounded soldiers were sometimes sent to the front without adequate treatment.
### Comparison with other conflicts
Let us compare this situation with other recent conflicts. In the war of Syria, for example, fighters were also sent back to the front, sometimes with serious injuries. However, Russia, as a modern military power, should be able to offer much superior care and logistical support. The intensification of the use of wounded soldiers only applies the already existing ditch between the image that Russia wants to project and the tragic reality of lost and mutilated lives.
### a necessary change for human recovery
Finally, an appeal must be made for a humanization of the treatment of wounded soldiers from all sides. Whatever the outcome of the conflict, these men and women are entitled, not only to medical care, but also to respect for their human dignity. The implications of leaving soldiers wounded on the battlefield are disastrous, not only for the morality of the war, but also for society as a whole. What message does this send to future generations of soldiers? Doesn’t that strengthen despair and the continuous cycle of violence that could cause unresolved trauma, both for soldiers and for civilians?
War, with all its dissonance, requires a reflection on the treatment of men and women who fight and, above all, on the devastating consequences for those who fight, but also for the societies they protect. The valuation of human life on the battlefield is an imperative, a choice that each nation must take for its collective dignity.