"The motivation is stronger": Ukraine expects around 4,000 prisoners to join army in first round of recruitment

To fill the critical shortage of infantry on the front line, Ukraine has decided to release convicts who agree to fight in high-risk air assault brigades.

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More than 2,750 men have been released from Ukrainian prisons after parliament passed a law in May allowing certain convicts to be drafted, including those imprisoned for drug trafficking, phone theft, assault and murder.

Under the new law, prisoners eligible for the amnesty programme can only be assigned to airborne assault brigades, which could mean fighting face-to-face with Russian troops.

This restriction reflects Ukraine's most urgent needs, said Justice Minister Denys Malyuska, adding that he expects at least 4,000 men to volunteer in the first round of recruitment. For now, convicts will serve only in units made up entirely of former prisoners.

"The motivation of our prisoners is stronger than that of our regular soldiers. Their release is only part of the motivation. They want to defend their country and they want to turn the page," said Malyuska.

It is worth noting that not all prisoners are suitable. Those who have killed more than one person, committed acts of sexual violence or violated national security laws cannot be mobilised.

In addition, unlike Russia, where the Wagner mercenary group pioneered the recruitment of criminals, in Ukraine, convicts will be recruited only into the official army and will receive the same benefits as regular soldiers.

Source: The Washington Post