Ukraine recruits prisoners

Ukraine is expanding mobilization to solve the problem of lack of manpower on the front after more than two years of fighting against the Russian invasion, and is recruiting prisoners who are promised their release in return.

More than 3.000 prisoners have already been released on parole and assigned to military units since parliament approved the controversial Mobilization Law last month, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotsky told The Associated Press (AP). According to estimates by the Ministry of Justice, 27.000 prisoners could be eligible for such mobilization.

"A lot of the motivation comes from the prisoners' desire to return home as heroes, not to return home from prison," Visocka said.

She pointed out that interest in the military parole program exceeded initial expectations and that as many as 5.000 new soldiers could be provided.

"That would definitely help," she said.

Ernest Volvač (27), wants to accept the offer. He is serving a two-year sentence for robbery in a penal colony in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine. He works in the kitchen, pouring portions of food into tin bowls.

"It's stupid to sit here and do nothing," Volvac told AP, adding that since the beginning of the war, he wanted to "do something for Ukraine" and get the chance to enlist. "Now she has appeared".

Although Ukraine does not disclose the number of recruits and casualties, frontline commanders openly admit that they are facing serious manpower shortage problems as the Russians continue their offensive in eastern Ukraine and advance westward.

Prisoners can be granted parole after an interview, medical examination and a review of their sentence. Those convicted of rape, sexual assault, murder of two or more persons or crimes against the national security of Ukraine cannot be recruited, according to AP.

If they pass the procedure, paroled prisoners are sent to basic training camps where they learn how to handle weapons and other basics of combat. Training ends when they join the units.

Ukrainian officials are at pains to point out the difference between their program and the recruitment of convicts in Russia who serve in the notorious Wagner mercenary army. Those fighters are usually deployed to the deadliest battles, officials say, but the Ukrainian program aims to integrate the prisoners into regular Ukrainian units on the battlefield.

The AP reports that Ukraine has about 42.000 prisoners, according to data the government forwarded to the European Union.

Although recent reforms have reduced the number of prisoners and are credited with improving conditions in some facilities, the US State Department cited credible reports of "degrading treatment or punishment" by prison authorities in a human rights report last year.