A large-scale fraud scheme was uncovered in russia's 83rd Air Assault Brigade, where officers had fabricated combat injuries and military awards to claim illegal payouts.

Through this scheme, the Brigade's command embezzled over 200 million rubles (approximately $2.5 million).

More than 30 russian servicemen reported fake wounds to receive financial benefits, preferential treatment, and exemptions from frontline duty. They were officially listed as "wounded" and sent for "treatment" in military hospitals while continuing to collect full salaries and additional bonuses.

One of the central figures was lieutenant colonel konstantin frolov, head of the Brigade's special operations group. Official records claimed he had been wounded four times, and russian state media even ran glowing reports celebrating his "successful sniper missions" and "rescue operations."

For these alleged feats, frolov received four Orders of Courage and two Medals for Valor. In reality, however, his injuries were staged: fellow soldiers shot him deliberately at his own request, carefully avoiding vital organs.

Meanwhile, dozens of russian soldiers killed in the war against Ukraine remain officially listed as "missing in action." This practice allows russia's Ministry of Defense to avoid paying compensation to the families of the dead. At the same time, senior officers continue pocketing hundreds of millions through falsified heroics and staged injuries.