Overview

• Prisoners convicted of severe crimes like multiple murders, sexual offenses, and treason are excluded from the program.
• Applicants must pass medical checks and receive court approval; over 1,700 inmates have been cleared so far.
• The initiative mirrors a similar Russian scheme where convicts are recruited for military service.
• Ukraine's population and troop numbers are significantly smaller than Russia's, exacerbating recruitment challenges.
• Military commanders are eager to recruit prisoners due to a shortage of manpower on the frontlines.