In the rural penal colony of Ukraine, prisoners are being offered a chance at parole in exchange for joining the battle against Russia. The Ukrainian army is urging them to consider this opportunity to start a new life and defend their homeland with full commitment.
As Ukraine faces severe shortages of personnel on the battlefield after more than two years of fighting off the Russian invasion, recruitment efforts have been expanded to include the country’s prison population. Frontline commanders have openly acknowledged the challenges they are facing due to manpower shortages as Russia continues to advance westward.
More than 3,000 prisoners have been released on parole and assigned to military units as part of a controversial mobilization bill approved by parliament. The country’s prison population of about 42,000 people includes approximately 27,000 inmates who could be eligible for this new program. The motivation for many inmates to participate in this initiative stems from a desire to return home as heroes and make a positive impact for Ukraine.
Ernest Volvach, a 27-year-old serving a two-year sentence for robbery in a penal colony in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine, is eager to take up the offer. He believes it is pointless to do nothing behind bars and is keen to contribute to the defense of his country. With the opportunity to enlist now available to him, Volvach sees this as a chance to make a meaningful impact for Ukraine and start a new life free from his criminal past.