russia Wants to Legalize the Stolen: From Petty Theft to Cars from the EU

Another shameful trend is emerging in russia: a country that already has a reputation for high crime rates is effectively moving toward legalizing the stolen. Theft remains the most common crime in the rf. In 2025 alone, over 453,000 such cases were recorded.

Against this background, the rf ministry of internal affairs’ initiative to legalize cars stolen in EU countries is a logical continuation of the overall policy. This concerns vehicles placed on an international wanted list by “unfriendly countries”. In fact, russia wants to create a “legal” framework in which stolen property ceases to be considered a crime if it ends up on russian territory. This may encourage international criminal networks to carry out new car thefts in Europe.

It is also worth mentioning the behavior of russian military personnel during the war against Ukraine. Massive instances of looting – ranging from household appliances to personal belongings – have become yet another confirmation that the appropriation of others’ property is part of standard practice. These are no longer isolated crimes, but a phenomenon that is perceived as the norm.

The result is a clear picture: modern russia is not only a country with high levels of theft, but it is moving toward legalizing it. Poverty, systemic problems, and a lack of respect for other people’s property shape a behavioral pattern in which “taking what belongs to others” becomes a way of life.