Ukraine Follows Russia’s Playbook in Mobilizing Convicts

Ukraine has taken a leaf from the playbook of its enemy as it begins to mobilize prisoners to fight in its war against Russia.New legislation, which came into force on Saturday, May 18, after being signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, allows for the voluntary mobilization of convicts as the country grapples with increasing threats from its neighbor in its northeast regions.Russia began its mass recruitment of prisoners in 2022, just months after its invasion began in February, with thousands being recruited directly into the military and into the Wagner Group, a Russian…