Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

British Defense Ministry: Russia continues to recruit prisoners for war, despite risks to communities upon their return

Russian lawmakers are sounding the alarm over potential increases in crime as ex-prisoners recruited to fight in Ukraine return to their communities.
Russian soldiers.
Russian soldiers, illustrative photo. Credit: Euronews.
British Defense Ministry: Russia continues to recruit prisoners for war, despite risks to communities upon their return

The British Defense Ministry reported on 26 May that Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has ceased publishing official crime statistics since January 2023, likely due in part to rising violent crimes committed by former prisoners returning from combat in Ukraine.

In April 2024, the Russian media outlet Verstka reported that at least 107 Russians were killed and another 100 seriously injured by returning war veterans.

According to the Defense Ministry, the Russian government is persisting with its policy of recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine despite growing concerns about the potential impact on public safety when these individuals return home

Several Russian Duma deputies have voiced alarm over the threats posed by ex-prisoners who have served in the armed forces in Ukraine.

Nina Ostanina, head of the Duma committee on family, parenthood, motherhood and childhood protection, told the Russian publication Gazeta that “there will be more crimes because these former prisoners are not socialized.”

Ostanina argued that “former prisoners should be under constant control of law enforcement agencies, and society should be protected from such people.”

Russian media have reported on several high-profile cases involving pardoned war participants in April, with BBC’s Russian service noting earlier this year that Russian prisoners who went to fight against Ukraine are now receiving conditional release instead of pardons from President Vladimir Putin and are required to serve until the end of the war.

The UK intel reported that the Russian government appears willing to continue this practice to maintain its war effort in Ukraine.

Read also:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts