August 18, 2022
1 min read

Putin accused of recruiting prisoners to fight Ukraine

The fact that in many areas, officials are posting street advertisements for people to fight in the war may indicate a shortage of personnel at the front…reports Asian Lite News

Russia is recruiting prisoners to to fight in Moscow’s continued war on Ukraine, according to human rights activists.

Suspects and defendants are being recruited with the promise that in exchange, the authorities will drop criminal proceedings, Olga Romanova, a Russian civil rights activist based in Berlin, said in a Facebook post, citing examples from pre-trial detention centres in the Moscow area.

“But I think it has started everywhere,” said Romanova, a specialist on prisoners’ rights in Russia.

Moscow depends on volunteers as general conscription has not been introduced to fill the ranks of its armed forces fighting in Ukraine, in the invasion that began on February 24, reports dpa news agency.

The fact that in many areas, officials are posting street advertisements for people to fight in the war may indicate a shortage of personnel at the front.

Cities and regions are currently forming their own battalions.

In the Russian judicial system, almost all indictments end in a guilty verdict, meaning suspects and defendants appear to be given the choice between going to war or going to prison.

The founder of Gulaga.net, a project created to combat violence in Russian prisons, Vladimir Ossetschkin, confirmed the recruitment practices in prisons from France, where he is living in exile.

He said there were indications of the practice from St. Petersburg, Ryazan, Tver and Bryansk.

Russian media have been reporting on the search for volunteers in the nation’s many penal camps since July, according to Meduza website, which said Wagner mercenary group was recruiting convicts.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, a wanted Kremlin businessman and backer of Wagner, personally recruited volunteers in prison camps, Mediazona website reported.

The prisoners were said to have been promised monthly pay of 100,000 roubles ($1,625) along with bonuses, payments to their families in the event of death, and an amnesty.

ALSO READ: Russia preparing ‘missile attack’ on Ukraine 

Previous Story

Haqqani Network accused of sheltering Zawahiri

Next Story

Biden cancels $3.9 b in student loan debt

Latest from -Top News

Trump Targets BRICS Allies with New Tariff

This move coincides with the ongoing BRICS summit being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil…reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump has announced that an additional 10 per cent tariff will

BRICS Endorses India’s Stand on Terror

The treaty proposed by India within the UN framework aims to provide a comprehensive legal basis for combating terrorism….reports Asian Lite News The leaders’ joint statement, issued after the 17th BRICS summit

BRICS Slams US Tariff Hikes

The leaders criticised developed nations for using environmental issues to justify trade restrictions on developing countries….reports Asian Lite News Rio de Janeiro, July 7 (IANS) Embroiled in a trade war launched by

US Tariffs Pushed to August Amid Talks

In April, Trump announced a base tariff of 10 per cent on most of America’s trading partners and thereafter additional duties ranging up to 50 per cent….reports Asian Lite News US President

Indonesia Joins BRICS Bloc

This year’s BRICS Summit saw an expanded format, reflecting the grouping’s growing relevance in international affairs….reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally welcomed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto into the BRICS
Go toTop

Don't Miss

EU ready with ‘sanction package’ against Russia

The package contains a number of “calibrated measures” targeting banks

US NSA Sullivan meets Zelensky in Kiev

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met visiting US National Security Advisor