Fact Check: 17,721 Russian soldiers already sentenced for refusing orders.

Published June 27, 2025

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# Fact Check: "17,721 Russian soldiers already sentenced for refusing orders." ## What We Know The claim that "17,721 Russian soldiers already senten...

Fact Check: "17,721 Russian soldiers already sentenced for refusing orders."

What We Know

The claim that "17,721 Russian soldiers already sentenced for refusing orders" stems from reports regarding the treatment of Russian military personnel in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to a report by The Insider, over 20,000 Russian soldiers have been prosecuted for refusing to fight, with 17,721 of those already sentenced. This information aligns with reports from various media outlets that highlight the severe consequences faced by Russian soldiers who refuse orders, including potential imprisonment for three to ten years for such actions, as noted by The New York Times.

Additionally, the White House has stated that there is credible information indicating that the Russian military is executing soldiers who refuse to follow orders related to the war. This underscores the extreme measures being taken by the Russian military to enforce compliance among its ranks.

Analysis

The claim appears to be substantiated by multiple sources, particularly the report from The Insider, which provides specific figures regarding the prosecution and sentencing of Russian soldiers. However, the reliability of the sources must be considered. The Insider is a well-known independent media outlet that focuses on investigative journalism, which lends credibility to its reporting. Conversely, the New York Times, a major international news organization, also corroborates the legal ramifications for soldiers refusing orders, further supporting the claim.

However, the context of the claim should be critically assessed. The figures reported may not reflect the entire scope of the situation, as the Russian military's internal processes and the exact nature of the prosecutions can be opaque. Additionally, the claim does not specify whether the sentences are for refusal to fight in general or specifically related to certain orders, which could affect the interpretation of the data.

Moreover, while the reports of executions add a chilling dimension to the consequences of refusal, they do not directly support the specific number of 17,721 sentenced soldiers. Thus, while there is evidence supporting the claim, the nuances and potential gaps in the data necessitate further investigation.

Conclusion

Needs Research. While there is credible evidence suggesting that a significant number of Russian soldiers have been sentenced for refusing orders, the exact figure of 17,721 requires further verification. The sources provide a basis for the claim, but the broader context and the potential for incomplete reporting mean that additional research is needed to confirm the accuracy and implications of these numbers fully.

Sources

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