September 28, 2025: The Ukraine war has been underway for three and a half years, creating a violent atmosphere along the border with Ukraine. A growing number of armed Russian soldiers are operating as criminal gangs, stealing what they can and living off plunder. Local Russian police are unable to control this mayhem. In some cases, the police establish an understanding with these groups of armed ex-soldiers to stay out of each other’s way. Civilians who complain to local government officials are advised to move away from the border area until the violence subsides. The central government in Moscow doesn’t want to be bothered with this border violence issue and tells local officials to handle it as best they can. If any of these violent groups attempt to advance farther into Russia, soldiers will be sent to prevent the spread of the violence.

Russia believes the situation will worsen as more soldiers desert or are allowed to go home after their tour of duty ends. Most of these marauding soldiers are deserters. Desertion has been increasing, and Russian officers are either unable or unwilling to address it, letting the armed deserters go. Morale among Russian soldiers in Ukraine is about as low as it can get. Officers commanding units at the front do what they can to keep troops in defensive positions. Attacks still occur, but these usually involve units that haven’t been destabilized by poor morale and leadership.

Russia has been hiring more mercenaries and using them for attacks. Initially, it was North Korean soldiers, but now there are mercenary recruits from Central Asian countries bordering Russia, as well as nations like Cuba. The Cubans still depend on Russia for oil and other supplies and have not interfered with Russian efforts to recruit Cuban men to fight in Ukraine. The Russians offer high pay and equally generous death benefits. Cuba’s economy is in bad shape, with regular power outages throughout the island nation. In response, Russia has increased its aid to Cuba. This has enabled Cuban hotels and resorts to stay in business, catering to a growing number of Russians flying in for vacations to escape the economic chaos back home.

Russia is seeking economic and military assistance wherever it can find it. Economic aid is hard to come by, especially since NATO countries are making it more difficult and expensive for Russia to export its oil and natural gas. Despite this, European nations are still spending over $200 billion a year to buy Russian oil and natural gas. The Americans are pressuring their European allies to reduce and eventually end their purchases of Russian oil and natural gas. That’s easier said than done, but it’s clear that the war in Ukraine will end sooner if European nations can stop buying Russian oil and find alternative sources.