It became known how many former prisoners joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine
2 April 15:46
More than 8,000 volunteers who previously served their sentences have already mobilized to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
This was reported by the Ministry of Justice, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
In the last two months alone, 2000 soldiers have joined the ranks of the Armed Forces. Currently, more than 10,000 applications for parole for military service are being considered.
The first groups of volunteers joined combat units in August 2024. Currently, ex-prisoners are part of such units as the 1st separate assault regiment “Da Vinci”, 92nd separate assault brigade, 93rd mechanized brigade “Kholodny Yar”, NGU brigade “Azov” and others.
According to the Ministry, many of them have already received state awards for bravery on the battlefield.
What is known about the mobilization of prisoners?
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law on the mobilization of convicts on May 17, 2024. The document proposes to allow those who have been sentenced to restriction or imprisonment for minor offenses to be involved in military service.
Those convicted of premeditated murder, rape, sexual violence, and crimes against national security will not be mobilized. Also, corrupt officials will not be allowed to replace their sentences with the opportunity to fight.
At the same time, the Ministry of Defense clarified that the mobilization of convicts will be influenced not only by the nature of their crime and their desire, but also by the conclusion of the military medical commission, a court decision on parole, and the readiness of the commander to accept a person for service in his unit.
The Ministry of Justice noted that the key role in this process is played by the administrations of penitentiary institutions, which ensure the organization of medical examinations, accompanying convicts to the military medical commission and preparing documents for the court.
