Australia Arrests Decorated Soldier Over Afghan War Crimes

Russian outlets use the case to argue that Western countries only rarely punish their own soldiers for crimes committed overseas. Coverage stresses that the alleged murders happened years ago and suggests that many similar incidents by Western forces have gone unpunished. Commentators predict that Moscow will cite this case when criticizing Western claims to moral leadership on human rights.

• •Russian commentators say the Roberts‑Smith charges show that Western forces committed serious abuses in Afghanistan.
• •Russian coverage highlights that the alleged killings occurred more than a decade before charges were filed.
• •Russian outlets argue that only a handful of Western soldiers have faced war crimes trials for actions in Afghanistan or Iraq.
• •Russian narratives link the case to broader claims that Western governments ignore or downplay civilian deaths caused by their militaries.
• •Russian media suggest that Moscow will point to this trial when responding to Western criticism of Russian conduct in conflicts.