Ukraine Follows Russia’s Playbook in Mobilizing Convicts

Ukraine has taken a leaf from the playbook of its enemy as it begins to mobilize prisoners to fight in its war against Russia.

New legislation, which came into force on Saturday, May 18, after being signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, allows for the voluntary mobilization of convicts as the country grapples with increasing threats from its neighbor in its northeast regions.

Russia began its mass recruitment of prisoners in 2022, just months after its invasion began in February, with thousands being recruited directly into the military and into the Wagner Group, a Russian state-aligned mercenary faction.

Ukraine was originally critical of Russia’s decision to utilize convicts for its invasion, which has now been in operation for more than two years. However, the country has been struggling to maintain military recruitment numbers and is facing an increasing incursion on its second largest city, Kharkiv, which started last week.

Those who have committed the most heinous crimes will not be subject to the draft. Lawmakers said involuntary manslaughter convictions could be considered, according to a report by the New York Times. Any prisoner who is drafted could be up for the possibility of parole if they make it to the end of their service.

Newsweek has contacted the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine via email for comment outside of normal working hours.

Those who are serving prison time for particularly violent crimes, such as murder and rape, are not being drafted into the war. This is not the case in Russia, which has mobilized all types of prisoners for six months of service in exchange for their freedom.

A Russian dissident in exile previously revealed to Newsweek that more than 100,000 convicts from across the country’s sprawling penal system had been drafted into the war effort as of December 2023.

Russian human rights activist Vladimir Osechkin told Newsweek that in 2022 more than 49,500 prisoners were recruited nationwide by the Wagner Group, and in 2023 the Russian Defense Ministry hired more than 52,000 convicts to fight in Ukraine. Lists of conscripts seen by Newsweek also indicate the Kremlin had recruited elderly men past retirement age.

Several other laws were also signed by Zelensky this week. They include new rules around lowering the draft eligibility age to 25 from 27, boosting border patrols to catch those attempting to flee in order to avoid being drafted into the fight, and increasing fines for avoiding the draft. Passed by Ukraine’s lawmakers in April, the laws also oblige Ukrainian men between 18 and 60 years of age to update their personal data with military authorities, allowing draft offices to see more easily who can be called up.