Ukraine’s parliament approved a bill allowing certain convicts to join the army in exchange for a chance at parole, aiming to address the country’s shortage of manpower amid Russia’s ongoing invasion, Reuters reports.
The bill, pending President Zelensky’s signature, excludes convicts guilty of serious crimes such as murder, rape, and corruption. It aims to recruit several thousand soldiers from a pool of up to 20,000 convicts, though it’s projected to add only a few thousand soldiers. Convicts wishing to enlist must voluntarily appeal to prison authorities, and conditional probation would require a court decision. The government also plans to introduce separate units in the armed forces for convict fighters. Additionally, Ukraine recently lowered the draft mobilization age and overhauled rules for mobilizing civilians into the army.
The move comes as Ukraine faces Russian troops advancing in the east, with Ukraine preparing for a potential major Russian offensive in late spring or summer. The decision highlights the urgency for reinforcements and Western support to deter a breakthrough by Russian forces.
