War in Ukraine: detainees may be mobilized into the army in exchange for an amnesty

Lacking men, Kyiv wants to “unite all forces.” Ukrainian lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill allowing certain categories of prisoners to fight on the front in exchange for an amnesty, as Ukraine seeks to mobilize more soldiers against Russia.

On Facebook, MP Elena Chulyak from the party of President Vladimir Zelensky indicated that the text was adopted with 279 votes in favor in the second reading. Now it needs to be handed over to the Chairman of Parliament, then to Vladimir Zelensky.

Elena Chulyak clarified that this measure will only apply to those voluntarily detained and will require the consent of the military authorities after checking the physical and mental health of the prisoner. It will not apply to detainees convicted of certain serious crimes, in particular for “premeditated murder of more than two people,” sexual violence, attacks on national security or “serious” convictions for corruption, Elena Chulyak detailed. Thus, this measure will not apply to persons convicted while performing important political functions.

Sentences of up to three years

According to Elena Chulyak, these detainees will serve in special army units. Finally, according to her, only prisoners serving a sentence of less than three years will be able to make such a request. “We can survive in an all-out war against an adversary with greater resources only by consolidating all our forces,” she said.

After more than two years of resisting a deadly Russian invasion, Ukraine faces a shortage of soldiers and weapons as it faces a larger Russian army. Moscow has already recruited tens of thousands of prisoners from its colonies to fight at the front.