Ukraine has already begun the process of releasing prisoners for military service, Justice Minister Denys Malyuska said. Nearly 350 prisoners have already been released under a new law that allows convicts to serve in the military in exchange for parole after completing their service.
Currently, 4,300 applications for parole have been filed with the courts, and the judicial system is actively considering most of these applications. Malyuska noted that up to 20,000 prisoners, including those in pretrial detention, could be recruited to serve in the Ukrainian army.
This policy resembles a practice widely used by Russia to strengthen its armed forces, but there are significant differences. The Russian program is open to prisoners convicted of violent crimes, while Ukrainian law does not apply to those convicted of two or more murders, rape, or other serious crimes. A person convicted of one murder can be released only in the absence of aggravating circumstances, such as sexual violence.
Malyuska emphasized that the main reasons for the adoption of this law are the difficulties in conscripting "ordinary" citizens. He also noted that many prisoners who are currently refusing parole are waiting to see how the fate of the first wave of volunteers will turn out. They want to know how high-quality the training of the recruits will be, whether the new soldiers and former prisoners are satisfied, and whether they are treated well.
“This will be a key moment,” the minister emphasized, underlining the importance of the quality of training and the attitude towards recruits for the success of this initiative.
