Russian Parliament Approves Pardons for Criminals Joining Forces in Ukraine

In a bid to bolster troop numbers during Ukraine's counteroffensive, the lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, has passed a legislation granting pardons to criminal convicts who volunteer to join Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. The move comes after the practice was initially adopted by the Wagner mercenary force last year before the Russian Ministry of Defence took over prison recruitment earlier this year, according to the Moscow Times.

The legislation, which has been approved by the State Duma, establishes the recruitment of prisoners and criminal suspects for the conflict in Ukraine. However, the amnesty provisions do not apply to all criminals in Russian prisons. Acts of terror, sex offenses, espionage, and treason are among the serious crimes exempted, as stated in a release on the Duma's website.

If the legislation becomes law, those who join the Russian army will have their criminal records erased upon completion of military service, receipt of a state award for fighting, being wounded in action, or reaching the retirement age of 65. The Moscow Times also reported that suspected criminals can receive reprieve from criminal proceedings if they agree to serve in Ukraine. The suspension of criminal proceedings applies to those facing up to five years in prison for premeditated crimes or up to ten years for acts of negligence. Notably, crimes committed after the law takes effect will not be expunged.

The legislation will undergo a final round of voting in the upper-house Federation Council before it can be signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin, as per the Moscow Times.

Even before the legislation's passage, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the wealthy owner of the Wagner Group mercenary force, had been recruiting criminal convicts as mercenaries, promising them pardons upon surviving six months of fighting in Ukraine. Over the weekend, Prigozhin revealed that 32,000 of his Wagner mercenaries recruited from prisons had returned home after serving in the Ukrainian conflict. In May, he had previously stated that approximately 20,000 of his fighters had been killed in the battle for Ukraine's Bakhmut city.

Meanwhile, tensions between the Wagner forces and Russia's defense ministry persist. Prigozhin has complained about restricted access to Russian prisons for recruitment purposes.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a think tank based in Washington, DC, reported that Wagner forces are attempting to recruit new fighters due to significant losses in Ukraine. According to the ISW, Wagner recruiters are actively seeking individuals aged 21 to 35 with a "gaming background" to join as UAV specialists. Military experience is not a prerequisite for these recruits, as mentioned by the institute.

Ukrainian military officials have confirmed that their forces are making steady, incremental advances in the ongoing counteroffensive. However, Russian troops are fiercely resisting behind fortified positions and minefields. Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar stated that while progress is being made, the campaign is not a swift offensive with easy victories, akin to those portrayed in movies.