Dedovshchina in the post-Soviet military

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Violence among soldiers is a pervasive issue in contemporary armies, both professional and conscripted. Analyzing violent practices across various military contexts reveals specific features linked to the sociological, political, and anthropological landscapes of different countries. For instance, hazing is notably more violent in transitional societies, such as Russia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, where social tensions manifest and often escalate within military environments. Comparing Russian dedovshchina with other nations highlights universal, transitional, and national traits of military violence. Contributions in this exploration include Konstantin Bannikov discussing the societal impact of archaic violence from the Russian army; Anna Colin Lebedev examining perceptions of military violence in Russia; Anton Oleynik on informal dynamics among prisoners and conscripts; Kirill Podrabinek analyzing the roots of dedovshchina in the post-Soviet era; and Igor Obraztsov tracing its historical origins. Additional insights come from Vadim Mikhailin on military language, Julie Elkner on the Committee of Soldiers’ Mothers, and various studies on hazing in the Kyrgyz, Georgian, Czech, and Brazilian forces, as well as bullying in the British army, all contributing to a broader understanding of military violence.