In 2024, 1,571 servicemen were sentenced to illegal circulation of narcotic substances. This is the highest indicator from the beginning of a full -scale invasion. Professor of the Department of Law and Public Administration of King Danylo Mykola Karchevsky during the VIII Kyiv Polylogo in the Supreme Court reported this.
The vast majority of cases are under Article 309 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal production, purchase or storage of drugs without the purpose of sale). Only a smaller part - under Art. 307 of the Criminal Code (sales).
According to Karchevsky, the trend of growth is striking:
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In 2022, 188 soldiers were convicted,
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In 2023 - already 1 057,
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And in 2024-1 571, which is eight times higher than 2022.
More than 80% of convicts are persons previously criminally. That is, military service, stress, moral and physical exhaustion became factors that pushed a large part of the servicemen for illegal actions.
"The war is still" working out "on our defenders," the scientist summarized.
The problem of drug use and circulation in the army remains a sensitive topic. It requires not only a criminal reaction, but also deep psychological and rehabilitation work with the fighters who have passed the front.
