Over 8 thousand former convicts have already joined Armed Forces of Ukraine – Ministry of Justice
More than 8 thousand former convicts, including both men and women, have already joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to Censor.NET, citing Ukrinform, this was reported by the head of the Department for the Execution of Sentences of the Ministry of Justice, Yevhen Horobets.
It is reported that as of the beginning of April, more than 8 thousand former convicts - men and women - have joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and about 900 more applications are currently under consideration.
Thus, after the adoption of a law in May 2024 that introduced the institution of conditional release of convicts for their participation in the country's defense, the first groups of volunteers released from penitentiary institutions joined combat units in August 2024.
Most of the paroled soldiers have joined the ranks of the 1st Separate Assault Battalion "Da Vinci," the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, the 93rd Mechanized Brigade "Kholodny Yar," the 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade, the 3rd Assault Brigade, as well as several other special units of Ukraine’s Security and Defense Forces.
According to Horobets, "This program gives people a second chance — not just an opportunity to redeem themselves, but also to prove their loyalty to Ukraine on the front line, where every defender counts."
"We regularly engage with the command of the units where former inmates and parolees are currently serving. This dialogue allows us to gather up-to-date information on frontline needs — what skills, specialties, and competencies are currently in demand. It also gives us insight into how long training will take, what positions these parolees will fill, and how they are being treated. This information is crucial when conducting recruitment efforts inside correctional facilities, so that inmates can make an informed decision about joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As of today, over 8,000 men and women have joined combat units, and about 900 more applications are currently under review. Many former inmates have already received departmental and state awards for their combat achievements," Horobets said.
According to the Department for the Execution of Sentences, a lot depends on the actions of the administrations of penitentiary institutions: "This includes the organization of initial medical examinations, accompanying volunteers from among the convicts during the MMC (military medical commission) in civilian health care facilities, holding commissions with the participation of representatives of the TCR (Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support) and combat units where former convicts have expressed a desire to serve."
It is also important to prepare documents as quickly as possible for the court, which will consider the decision on the possibility of early release. On the day the court makes such a decision, the former convict becomes a parolee and a member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who has the same rights and obligations as our other defenders, with minor restrictions, the department reminded.
