Kremlin seeks to lower recruitment bar for prisoners willing to fight in Ukraine
Photo: Russian prison (The Moscow Times)
The Russian government is preparing another expansion of the list of convicted criminals who can be sent to fight in the war against Ukraine. A package of bills submitted to the State Duma would allow the Defense Ministry to sign contracts even with people convicted of certain serious offenses, according to The Moscow Times.
Russian authorities want to remove restrictions for a number of articles of the Criminal Code. Until now, people convicted under these provisions were barred from military service, but the rules are being changed as the previous pool of prison recruits was largely exhausted during the fighting around Bakhmut.
The bill has already been registered in the lower house of parliament's electronic database. It stipulates that convictions for certain crimes will no longer prevent individuals from being deployed to the front, as the Kremlin seeks to recruit more personnel.
New categories of recruits
The list of criminal offenses to be removed from the restrictions has been significantly expanded. If adopted, the new rules would allow the enlistment of:
- people convicted of smuggling cash or strategically important goods;
- members of armed criminal gangs;
- individuals convicted of interfering with critical infrastructure, including hackers;
- people convicted of violating industrial safety regulations.
The proposal also covers convictions related to the illegal handling or theft of nuclear materials. Those convicted of organizing illegal migration would also become eligible for military service.
Even convictions for losing documents containing state secrets (Article 284 of the Russian Criminal Code) would no longer prevent enlistment.
Drug smugglers included
The government is placing particular emphasis on drug smuggling. It proposes allowing the recruitment of people convicted under Article 229.1 (Parts 1–3 and certain provisions of Part 4), meaning those convicted of drug smuggling could join the Russian military.
The publication notes that Russian authorities have frequently been accused of fabricating drug-related charges against political opponents and other targets. In such cases, convicted individuals could be given the option of going to the front instead of serving their prison sentence.
Russia's expanding prison recruitment campaign
Russia has been recruiting prisoners for the war for several years. The practice began with the Wagner Group before being taken over by the Russian Defense Ministry.
In November 2022, Russia allowed people convicted of murder, robbery, and armed robbery to be mobilized. In June 2023, lawmakers extended the rules to suspects under criminal investigation, and later expanded them further to include defendants whose cases were already being heard in court.
Background
As previously reported, Russia has been quietly preparing for a broader mobilization to sustain its war against Ukraine. Analysts believe the likelihood of a nationwide mobilization could increase after Russia's elections this autumn.
Regional authorities have also reportedly pressured businesses to provide recruits for the war against Ukraine or pay financial contributions instead.
