Russia has recruited as much as 180,000 convicts for warfare in opposition to Ukraine, Overseas Intelligence Service says

Russia has recruited 140,000 to 180,000 prisoners to combat in a full-scale warfare in opposition to Ukraine as of November 2024, Ukraine's Overseas Intelligence Service (SZRU) mentioned on Jan. 2.

Moscow has been recruiting convicts for its warfare since summer time 2022, first beneath the auspices of the Wagner mercenary firm after which straight beneath the Russian Protection Ministry.

There have been about 300,000-350,000 prisoners in Russian prisons in 2024, which is half as many as in 2014, in keeping with the Ukrainian intelligence company.

"The reason being the Russia-Ukraine warfare," the assertion learn.

The Kyiv Unbiased couldn’t instantly confirm all of the claims.

A Russian authorities decree abolishing the one-time fee of $3,524 to prisoners for signing a contract with the Russian Protection Ministry to take part within the warfare in opposition to Ukraine got here into impact on Jan. 1.

"The legislative abolition of the one-time fee is proof of the deepening disaster within the Russian economic system and the scarcity of monetary assets," Ukraine's Overseas Intelligence Service claimed.

Prisoners and their family are disadvantaged of numerous funds and advantages obtained by members of volunteer formations. Salaries of prisoners are additionally two to 4 instances decrease than that of different Russian troopers, the company mentioned.

Dozens of males convicted of violent crimes have been allowed to return to Russia following their service. In some circumstances, these ex-convicts have been accused of latest crimes.

Inside Ukraine’s prison recruitment efforts to bolster front-line troopsZHYTOMYR, KYIV OBLASTS — Taras Netavrovanyi, an inmate at the medium-security prison in Zhytomyr Oblast, eagerly seized the chance to break free of his two-and-a-half-year sentence. New Ukrainian legislation allowing military service for prisoners convicted of certain felonies, including manslaught…The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Khrebet