In order to have enough soldiers for the war of invasion in Ukraine, Moscow also recruited prisoners as combatants. Some of these are convicted criminals. In return, they are promised release if they serve as mercenaries for a period of time – but many of them die in the process. Already 500 recruited prisoners would have lost their lives within weeks, according to letters of condolence to the families.
Since the end of September, the Russian Defense Ministry has also been recruiting prisoners as soldiers for the war in Ukraine. Recently, convicted murderers and drug dealers recently released from prison have also faced conscription. The instruction to do so should come directly from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The only exception: prisoners who Convicted of sex crimes against children, terrorism, espionage or treason are not allowed to serve in the military.
Russians are also recruited in prisons for the Wagner mercenary group. The prisoners are promised full amnesty after their service and are threatened with execution if they desert. The prisoners should only have a few minutes to decide.
Relatives receive letters of condolence with a medal of honor
Hundreds of these Wagner mercenaries are said to have already died in the war. As reported by the Ukrainian Center for Research and Countering Hybrid Threats discovered and reviewed more than two hundred condolence letters to the families of mercenaries recruited from penal colonies. As reported by the independent portal The Insider, the letters are accompanied by a posthumous badge of honor and are numbered. This helped estimate the number of soldiers killed.
Accordingly, 500 recruited prisoners would have been murdered within a month. At least 224 letters were sent between September 13 and October 18, during this period at least 458 prisoners were taken, by early November their number would have increased to 500.
The enlisted soldiers expect poor equipment. Plastic tarps instead of real tents, no medicine, old infantry vehicles derided as “aluminium cans” by the soldiers.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
