UKRAINE PARLIAMENT PASSES BILL FOR PRISONERS TO JOIN ARMY AS RUSSIAN TROOPS ADVANCE

Thu 09 May 2024:

On Wednesday, May 8th, lawmakers in Kyiv approved a bill allowing certain Ukrainian prisoners to shorten their prison sentences by joining the armed forces. Although the legislation awaits President Volodymyr Zelensky’s signature, it received majority support in Parliament. The move comes as Ukraine’s military faces challenges in recruiting new personnel to replace casualties and alleviate the strain on soldiers fatigued by over two years of conflict.

Prisoners who will not be eligible include “those who have committed premeditated murders, rapists and pedophiles, corrupt officials, those who have committed crimes against the foundations of Ukraine’s national security, and those who held particularly responsible positions, including MPs and ministers,” according to a statement by the ruling “Servant of the People” party led by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine’s ruling party said the new law passed with a majority of 279 votes out of a total of 330. There were zero votes against it, 11 abstentions and 40 didn’t vote.

The dwindling number of volunteers, compounded by ammunition shortages, is affecting operations on the front lines. Recent warnings from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have highlighted a deteriorating situation in the country’s east, where the Russian army has launched offensives, gaining control of small areas.

However, the enlistment of prisoners will only partially address the Ukrainian army’s manpower requirements, which entail hundreds of thousands of troops. If approved by the president, the bill could potentially recruit “15,000 to 20,000” individuals, according to Davyd Arakhamia, a member of Parliament and the national security, defense, and intelligence commission.

The recruitment process has become a contentious topic in Ukraine, drawing significant debate since the start of the year. Following months of hesitation at the highest government levels due to the measures’ unpopularity, the reform efforts were accelerated in April.

Applicants must first file a parole application. After that, the penitentiary will examine them medically to see if they are physically and psychologically capable of serving.

After that, a judge will determine whether to grant parole. The prisoner will subsequently be moved to a National Guard unit if it accepts.

Certain situations allow for the termination of contracts, such as when a former prisoner commits a new crime or falls ill. In the context of a broader demobilization, they may also be terminated.

Russia has been recruiting prisoners since the early months of the war and has deployed them in some of the fiercest battles yet – leading to accusations the Kremlin sees these troops as mere “cannon fodder.”

Its recruitment of prisoners and their subsequent release back to civilian life has caused a backlash within Russia, as many have been re-arrested after committing fresh offenses.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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