Monday , 10 February 2025
Home Society: News, Comment & Analysis Ukraine Releases Thousands of Prisoners to Combat Russian Forces

Ukraine Releases Thousands of Prisoners to Combat Russian Forces

162
Prisoners

In a rural correctional facility in southeastern Ukraine, some prisoners gather under barbed wire, listening to a military recruiter offering them a chance at parole. In exchange, they must join the tough fight against Russia.

According to the Associated Press, “You can end all of this and start a new life,” said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion. “What matters most is your willpower because you will be defending the homeland. You cannot give 50%; you must give 100%, even 150%.”

Ukraine is expanding its conscription efforts to address severe manpower shortages on the battlefield after more than two years of full-scale war with Russia. For the first time, its recruitment efforts are targeting the country’s prison population.

Although Ukraine has not disclosed detailed information about troop deployments or casualties, frontline commanders have publicly acknowledged facing severe manpower issues as Russia continues to increase its forces in eastern Ukraine and gradually push westward.

Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told the Associated Press that since the controversial mobilization bill was passed by Parliament last month, more than 3,000 prisoners have been released and assigned to military units.

According to estimates by the Ministry of Justice, approximately 27,000 prisoners could qualify for the new program.

“Many are motivated by the desire to return home as heroes, rather than from prison,” Vysotska said.

Ernest Volvach, 27, wants to accept the offer. He has been serving a two-year sentence for robbery in a correctional facility in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region. He works in the kitchen, scooping food into tin bowls.

“Sitting here doing nothing is stupid,” Volvach said, who has always wanted “to do something for Ukraine” and now has the chance to join the military. “Now this opportunity has come.”

Prisoners can receive conditional release after interviews, medical exams, and conviction reviews. Those convicted of rape, sexual assault, the murder of more than two people, or crimes endangering Ukraine’s national security are not eligible.

Ukrainian officials are keen to differentiate their program from Russia’s practice of recruiting prisoners to join the notorious Wagner mercenary group. Officials stated that those fighters are typically sent to the most lethal battles, but Ukraine’s program aims to integrate prisoners into regular Ukrainian frontline units.

Data provided by the Ukrainian government to the EU indicates that the country’s prison population is about 42,000.

The latest report said that despite recent reforms that have reduced the number of prisoners and improved conditions in some facilities, the U.S. State Department noted in its annual human rights report last year credible reports of “inhumane treatment or punishment” by prison authorities.

After screening, paroled prisoners are quickly sent to training camps for basic training, learning how to use weapons and other combat fundamentals. Once training is complete, they join their respective units.

Paroled prisoner Mykhailo joined an assault training course and said that after months of relative inactivity in prison, it was difficult to keep up with the physical demands—climbing armored personnel carriers and traversing obstacle courses.

“I decided to join the Ukrainian volunteer army because I am a family man with children and parents,” the 29-year-old said amid gunfire at the shooting range. “I will be more useful in the war.”

Vysotska said interest in the military parole program has exceeded initial expectations and could provide up to 5,000 new recruits.

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

Palisades community

The New York Times: Climate Change is Eroding the Value of Homes in the U.S.

As homes in Los Angeles’ Altadena and Pacific Palisades neighborhoods continue to...

carbon dioxide

Global Carbon Dioxide Concentration Hits Record High in 2024

A report released by the Global Carbon Project (GCP) shows that global...

Fake news

Many Universities Have Opted Out of X Due to The Proliferation of False Information

More than 60 universities and research institutions in Germany and Austria issued...

Birth rate in Frence

France’s Birth Rate Decline and Aging Population

In recent years, France’s demographic issues have become a growing concern across...