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Former convicts are increasingly joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine, actively contributing to the nation's defense against Russian aggression. Reports indicate over 8,000 ex-convicts have enlisted, reflecting a growing trend where prisoners choose military service as a pathway to freedom. Meanwhile, Russia has recruited up to 180,000 prisoners for the war, often coaxing them with promises of monetary rewards and early release from incarceration. These dynamics underscore a complex interplay of legal reforms and strategic mobilization of both men and women by Ukraine and Russia, which challenges conventional military recruitment norms. Amidst this, Ukrainian legislation is evolving to allow skilled prisoners to serve as private soldiers, sergeants, and even officers, thus bolstering the frontline efforts.

How many former prisoners have joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces?

Over 8,000 former convicts have joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces, significantly contributing to Ukraine’s military efforts. This shift highlights a strategic move by Ukraine to strengthen its defenses with individuals seeking both redemption and freedom. The participation of these individuals includes a diverse group of men and women adept in various military roles.

What measures has Russia taken to utilize prisoners in the war against Ukraine?

Russia has recruited between 140,000 to 180,000 prisoners to participate in the war against Ukraine. This recruitment strategy involves offering prisoners incentives such as monetary payments and promises of early release, thereby integrating them into military roles in the conflict. This approach has led to the formation of specialized units like Storm Gladiator, staffed by prisoners.

Are female prisoners being mobilized for military service in Ukraine?

While the Ukrainian legal framework theoretically allows for the mobilization of female prisoners, current practices primarily focus on mobilizing male convicts. However, Russian forces have been reported to include female ex-convicts in their military efforts in Eastern Ukraine, highlighting differing approaches to gender roles in military mobilization between the two countries.

What legal changes are affecting prisoners joining the Ukrainian military?

The Ukrainian government is working on legislation to facilitate the involvement of prisoners in the Armed Forces. Draft laws propose conditional early release for prisoners who sign military contracts. This legal evolution enables convicts to serve as soldiers, sergeants, or officers, depending on their training, thus broadening opportunities for integration into military roles.

How does prisoner recruitment affect relationship dynamics in occupied territories?

The recruitment of prisoners has significant implications for the dynamics in occupied territories. Russia's recruitment efforts lead to depopulation of penal colonies, while Ukraine negotiates the return of prisoners from occupied areas. These movements reflect ongoing strategic maneuvering and have become intrinsic to both countries' military and humanitarian policies.

What are some challenges facing the mobilization of prisoners in Ukraine?

Mobilization of prisoners faces challenges such as a lack of desire among some convicts to join military efforts and legal restrictions on those who have committed specific crimes. Additionally, the recruitment process requires careful legal handling to ensure fairness and compliance with human rights standards, indicating ongoing legislative adjustments.

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former convicts in the Armed Forces 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. 965 12 Previously in trend: former convicts in the Armed Forces

How many prisoners are fighting for Russia against Ukraine? Russia recruited up to 180,000 prisoners for war against Ukraine - Foreign Intelligence Service From 140 to 180 thousand prisoners were involved in the war against Ukraine by Russia. 1 299 8 Previously in trend: War

Russian prisoners Russia cancels one-time payments to prisoners who signed contract with Defense Ministry Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree according to which prisoners who signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense will not be able to count on one-time payments. 5 148 11 Previously in trend: War

Russian Federation sends former female prisoners into assault Ruscists send former female prisoners into assault – OSGT Khortytsia Russian occupants are involving women who have been previously convicted in assaults in the east. 5 429 73 Previously in trend: War

Військові агітують ув’язнених Three mobilized ex-prisoners returned to military unit in Odesa region after escape - OC "South" On August 24, three soldiers who had signed a contract for military service in prison left the territory of a training center in Odesa region. Within a day, law enforcement officers found them and returned them to the military unit. 9 880 24

Понад 3 тисячі в’язнів отримали дозвіл на мобілізацію Almost 4 thousand prisoners are already serving in Armed Forces, there are wounded and dead - People’s Deputy of "Voice", warrior Kostenko 3.8 thousand prisoners are already serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 4 510 8 Previously in trend: War

Мобілізація засуджених Information on escape of mobilised ex-prisoners from training centre is fake - Land Forces The information about the escape of former convicts who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and are being trained in one of the training centres is not true. 5 498 21

Мобілізація зеків в Росії Russia plans to close fifty colonies due to mass deployment of prisoners to war against Ukraine - NRC The Russian Federation is planning to close at least 57 colonies due to the mobilisation of prisoners to the frontline in Ukraine. The premises of these prisons are empty. 1 952 18 Previously in trend: Mobilization in Russian Federation

Мобілізація засуджених жінок Mobilization of prisoners in practice does not include convicted women. Now there is a shortage of men in AFU - Maliuska In practice, the law on the mobilization of prisoners does not apply to women, although in theory, they fall under it due to the current shortage of men in the army. 1 697 14 Previously in trend: mobilization

Мобілізація засуджених Already 775 convicts have joined ranks of AFU - Prosecutor General’s Office So far, 2,402 convicts have submitted petitions for parole for military service. 868 4 Previously in trend: mobilization

зсу,армія,мобілізація First mobilised convicts captured Russian, - Deputy Minister of Justice Vysotska One of the first prisoners serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured a Russian. 22 121 113 Previously in trend: War

тюрма,вязниця Lack of desire to go to war can hinder mobilization of prisoners - Ministry of Justice Some convicts may not want to mobilize and fight. 5 495 44 Previously in trend: mobilization

Мобілізація ув’язнених 4,500 convicts agreed to leave prison for front - Ministry of Justice In April, the Ministry of Justice conducted a survey among prisoners, where they were asked questions about release by signing a contract for military service. Agreed that it is necessary to adopt a law on conditional early release by entering into a contract for military service of almost 5 thousand convicts 7 258 52 War in Ukraine

зона,неволя,тюрма,колонія Depending on level of military training, convicts will be able to serve not only as private soldiers, but also as sergeants and officers - "Servant of People" Shuliak The draft law on the involvement of convicts in the defense of Ukraine in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, adopted in the first reading, stipulates that prisoners will be kept on a special register, and their administrative supervision will be exercised by the commander of the military unit. The convicts will be able to serve not only as private soldiers, but also as sergeants and officers, depending on their military training. 4 098 54 Previously in trend: War

рф,жінки,росія,колонія,ув'язненні RF has begun to actively recruit women from penal colonies for war against Ukraine - National Resistance Center Russian occupants recruit female prisoners to fight against Ukraine. For this, they are promised money and the opportunity to return home. 1 238 11 Previously in trend: War

СБУ викрила в'язня, який став агентом ФСБ Prisoner-agent of FSS, who recruited convicts in colony and planned to help Russian SRG in north of Ukraine, was exposed - SSU. PHOTO The SSU foiled new attempts by the FSB to create its own agent network in the border areas of northern Ukraine. The offenders were supposed to collect intelligence on the Defence Forces and facilitate the breakthrough of Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups. Thus, in a penal colony in the Zhytomyr region, an FSS agent was exposed who was recruiting other prisoners for subversive activities against Ukraine. 4 656 10 Incidents

малюська Minister of Justice Maliuska: Mobilization of convicts will not apply to "persons who have committed certain crimes" The draft law on the mobilization of convicts will contain restrictions on persons who have committed certain crimes. 1 954 11 Previously in trend: mobilization

наручники,сізо,тюрма,злочинці Rada proposes to allow prisoners to serve in army under contract Draft law No. 11079 was registered in the Rada, which proposes to grant early release on parole from serving a sentence to persons who are to perform military service under contract during a special period. 2 116 16 Previously in trend: mobilization

наручники,сізо,тюрма,злочинці Ministry of Justice proposes that prisoners and convicts can mobilize, but it’s up to court to decide - Deputy Minister Vysotska The Ministry of Justice wants to remove obstacles that would allow people with a criminal record or convictions to be mobilized. 2 954 49 Previously in trend: mobilization

рф,зеки,в’язні Russia has formed new special assault unit "Storm Gladiator" from recruited prisoners - National Resistance Centre According to the information available to the NRC, Russia has formed a new special assault unit called Storm Gladiator from prisoners recruited for the war against Ukraine. 5 590 61 World

зсу According to current legislation, former convicts are removed from military registration and are not subject to mobilization – Ministry of Justice Currently, Ukrainian law prohibits the recruitment of not only convicts in prison but also those who have served their sentences and are free. 8 658 45 Previously in trend: War

рф,зеки Russian occupiers deport Ukrainian prisoners who do not take Russian passports - National Resistance Center. DOCUMENT The National Resistance Center has received evidence of the forced deportation of Ukrainian prisoners held by the Russians in places of detention in the temporarily occupied territories. 3 295 10 Previously in trend: War

затримання Prisoners "sold" non-existent cars to AFU: defrauded soldiers and volunteers. VIDEO&PHOTOS Prisoners serving time in a Zhytomyr colony for robbery and theft, together with their accomplices from the outside, defrauded military personnel and volunteers by "selling" non-existent cars. 10 475 39 Incidents

рф,вагнер,зеки,пвк Russians offer convicts a six-month contract for war in Ukraine instead of imprisonment - AFU General Staff To replenish losses in manpower, the Russian occupiers continue to actively recruit people with criminal records or those facing criminal charges, in particular for terrorism. 2 310 18 Previously in trend: War Mobilization in Russian Federation

тюрма,вязниця Ukrainian prisoners were forcibly taken to Russian Federation, they were detained again immediately after their release, - NYT A group of Ukrainian prisoners who were forcibly deported to Russia from the occupied territories were detained immediately after their release for violating migration legislation. 4 237 11 Previously in trend: War

вагнер,пригожин Prigozhin stopped recruiting prisoners to PMC "Wagner" The founder of the "Wagner" PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin said that the recruitment of prisoners to the recognized criminal PMC has been completely stopped. 12 374 38 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

зеки,росія,тюрма,вязниця "Wagner" recruiters began to come to Russian colonies in second round, - Russian media From the end of 2022, the recruiters of "Wagner’s Communist Party" began to visit Russian colonies for the second time, from where they had already recruited prisoners to participate in the war in the spring and autumn. 4 295 17 World

тюрьма,в'язниця,ґрати About 650 prisoners recruited in Russian penitentiaries to participate in war against Ukraine - General Staff The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published information on the number of Russian prisoners recruited to participate in the war against Ukraine. 860 12 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

64 convicts transferred from occupied Donbas to government-controlled Ukraine. PHOTOS 64 convicts transferred from occupied Donbas to government-controlled Ukraine. PHOTOS Another 64 convicts have been transferred from the temporarily occupied areas of Luhansk region to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine. 7 390 18 Ukrainian Politics

60 Ukrainian prisoners passed to Ukraine-controlled territory in Luhansk region. PHOTOS 60 Ukrainian prisoners passed to Ukraine-controlled territory in Luhansk region. PHOTOS Over the past six months the militants of the so-called "Luhansk People’s Republic" passed 255 convicted to Ukraine. 4 225 27 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

денисова 60 Ukrainian prisoners passed to Ukraine-controlled territory in Luhansk region. PHOTOS Ukraine’s Ombudsman informed that 195 Ukrainians were transported from the occupied territory of Luhansk since December 2018 till April 2019. 9 702 23 Ukrainian Politics

33 convicts transferred from occupied areas in Luhansk region to Ukraine-controlled territory, - Denisova. PHOTOS 33 convicts transferred from occupied areas in Luhansk region to Ukraine-controlled territory, - Denisova. PHOTOS On Thursday, the "LPR" representatives transferred 33 convicts to Ukraine-controlled territory, so they could further serve their sentences here. 6 963 69 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Several dozen convicts transferred from occupied Luhansk to Ukraine, - MP Iryna Herashchenko. PHOTOS Several dozen convicts transferred from occupied Luhansk to Ukraine, - MP Iryna Herashchenko. PHOTOS 42 persons who had been convicted before the Russian aggression started in 2014 and who had expressed their desire to serve their sentences in Ukrainian prisons were transferred from the occupied city of Luhansk to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine. 18 847 119 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

обмен заключенные лутковская освобождение 19 prisoners transferred from terrorist-held areas to serve their sentences in government-controlled territory, - Ombudsman Lutkovska. PHOTOS A total number of people that have been transferred from penitentiary institutions in occupied areas of the Donbas has reached 166 prisoners, plus 12 people from Russia-occupied Crimea. 14 437 20 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Russian ombudsman promises to transfer Crimean prisoners to Ukraine, - Lutkovska Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia Tatiana Moskalkova promises to find a way to transport prisoners, kept in occupied Crimea, to the mainland Ukraine. 5 298 32 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

аваков "I support humanism but oppose indulging recidivists," - Avakov calls to immediately amend ‘Savchenko law’ Interior Minister Arsen Avakov slams the Savchenko law allowing to count one day spent in remand prison for two days of sentence. 29 823 122 Incidents

плен Militants refused to swap 25 Ukrainian hostages for 50 separatists, - Iryna Herashchenko Militants of the so-called "DPR" and "LPR" refused to exchange 25 Ukrainian hostages, illegally held in the temporarily occupied territory, for 50 their fighters. 23 839 116 Ukrainian Politics

Russian occupants recruit inmates in Donbas, - Defense Ministry The Russian command draws prisoners to the occupation forces in the Donbas. 11 159 41 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Ukraine negotiates transfer of 18 prisoners from occupied Crimea to Ukraine, - Ombudsman Lutkovska Ukraine is holding talks with the Russian side regarding return of 18 Ukrainian prisoners jailed in Crimea to mainland Ukraine. 3 029 13 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

петренко About 6,000 convicts released under Savchenko law, - Minister Petrenko Some 6,000 convicts have taken advantage of the 'Savchenko law' (the law of Ukraine No. 838) that stipulates equating each day spent in a pre-trial facility to two days in prison. 14 658 62 Ukrainian Politics

Crimean detainees forced by occupying authorities to acquire Russian citizenship, - human rights defenders Human rights defenders announce of pressure over detainees by occupational Russian authorities in Crimea with the purpose to force them acquire Russian citizenship. 3 724 5 Previously in trend: Reprisals in Russian-occupied Crimea

Russian military recruit prisoners in Donbas The Russian soldiers recruit inmates into the ranks of the terrorists in the Donbas, promising amnesty and a 10,000 rubles reward. 15 282 104 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

тюрьма зона 11 Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russian jails, - Foreign Minister Klimkin Foreign Ministry of Ukraine invests equal efforts in liberating all Ukrainians detained in Russia, both well-known, like Nadia Savhcnenko and Oleh Sentsov, and ordinary citizens. 5 674 67 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

моторола Amnesty International demands investigation of killings admitted by Donetsk militant Motorola Shocking evidence of mass killings carried out by pro-Russian militants in the Donbas, indicate the need for urgent action to resolve the humanitarian crisis in the region. 61 304 322 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

плен "Negotiations on prisoner exchange came to deadlock" - Advisor to the Defense Minister Advisor to the Defense Minister Vasyl Budik says that negotiations on prisoner exchange are deadlocked. 37 380 71 Previously in trend: Anti-Terrorist Operation

док Prisoners of Kholodnohirska Colony Massively Voted for Poroshenko Bloc. DOCUMENT 667 prisones voted for the president's party. 29 928 130 Previously in trend: Snap Parliamentary Elections

Militants Broke into a Penal Colony in Torez and Freed 8 Prisoners. All the Released Prisoners Have Battle Participation Credit. Armed men freed eight prisoners from the penal colony number 28 in Torez on Wednesday, July 9. 23 185 114 Incidents

Terrorists Attacked the Prison in Luhansk and Helped Eight Prisoners to Escape The militants of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" helped eight prisoners to escape from the Slovianoserbsk prison. 30 450 87 Incidents