The Russian parliament, the State Duma, has taken a controversial step by approving a new law that will allow individuals facing criminal charges to enlist in the military. This move, which aims to bolster the Russian army’s manpower in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, has sparked concerns within Russian society.
The practice of using convicted criminals in the war effort has been ongoing for over two years, initially spearheaded by the Wagner private military group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. Wagner offered prisoners a path to pardon in exchange for serving six months at the frontlines, effectively using them as cannon fodder in some of the war’s most intense battles.
As the conflict dragged on, this approach was adopted by the regular Russian army, seeking to increase troop numbers while avoiding the political fallout of forcibly conscripting young Russian men. The new law addresses a loophole that prevented defendants from joining the military. Previously, only those under investigation or convicted individuals could enlist.
The bill now allows defendants currently standing trial to sign up for the army, with their criminal proceedings temporarily suspended. Their charges will be dropped if they receive a state award or are discharged under standard circumstances, such as being wounded in combat. This decision, while presented as a way to strengthen the army, has raised concerns about the potential consequences.
Reports of violent offenders, including serial killers and rapists, being released to fight in Ukraine, only to commit further crimes upon their return, have fueled public anxieties. Critics argue that this reliance on convicted criminals undermines the integrity of the military and poses a significant risk to Russian society. The bill now moves to the upper chamber of parliament for approval before being signed into law by President Vladimir Putin.
