Having Exhausted Convicts as Source of Troops for Ukraine War, Moscow Now Hopes Those Accused of Crimes will Become One, ‘Important Stories’ Says

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Oct. 1 – Moscow has raised hundreds if not thousands of troops for its war in Ukraine by recruiting convicts being held in Russia’s penal institutions, but that source is drying up and so officials now hope that they will be able to make up the shortfall by recruiting those accused of crimes but not yet convicted in their place.

            Convicts were ready to serve in exchange for the cancellation of their sentences, but now, the Important Stories portal says, Moscow hopes that as many as 40 percent of those being held in advance of trial will be willing to join up to have the cases against them quashed (istories.media/news/2024/10/01/v-rossii-planiruyut-zabrat-na-voinu-40-protsentov-podsudimikh/).

            The Duma passed a law at the end of September on an expedited basis allowing the defense ministry to offer contracts to those charged with crimes with a deal, Before that, such contracts could be signed only with those still under investigation or already convicted but not with those charged and awaiting rial.

            Putin has not yet signed the measure, but sources tell Important Stories that the authorities expect to get 40 percent of the approximately 60,000 persons charged but not yet convicted to sign up in order to escape charges and trial. That the powers are taking such a step highlights just how difficult Moscow is finding refilling the ranks of its invasion force.