Ukraine's parliament passed a bill that would allow some convicts to enlist in the army in return for a chance at parole, part of a push to generate fresh manpower for Kyiv's outnumbered and exhausted troops.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine's parliament has recently approved a bill that could significantly impact the composition of its military forces. The bill, pending the president's signature, introduces a provision allowing certain convicts to enlist in the army, potentially providing them with a pathway to parole. This legislative move aims to bolster Kyiv's military capabilities by integrating prisoners, with the exception of those who have committed serious crimes such as premeditated murder, negligent homicide under the influence of alcohol, and high treason, into its ranks.

The legislation specifies that only convicts serving sentences of three years or less are eligible for this program, which is to be entirely voluntary. Participants in this initiative will join a special unit under the supervision of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Although the measure is expected to add only a few thousand soldiers to Ukraine’s military, it is a part of a broader effort by the Ukrainian government to strengthen its armed forces amidst ongoing hostilities.

This development comes as Ukraine anticipates a significant military offensive by Russian forces. Previously, Ukraine had taken steps to lower the draft mobilization age from 27 to 25, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The decision to possibly incorporate convicts into the military underscores Ukraine's efforts to counter what analysts identify as its most pressing challenge: a marked disparity in manpower against a substantially larger adversary. Notably, since the onset of the conflict, Russia has also been drafting a considerable number of inmates to serve in its forces.



Ukraine passes bill allowing convicts to serve in army

It still needs the president's signature, but Ukraine's convict mobilization bill, which was approved by parliament on Wednesday, could soon be passed into law. It will allow prisoners to enlist in the military in exchange for a chance at parole, unless they've committed a serious crime. Some of the categories of convicts are excluded, those who committed premeditated murder, negligent homicide under the influence of alcohol and high treason, for instance. Lawmakers say the scheme will only apply to convicts serving sentences of three years or less, and will take place on a fully voluntary basis. Those selected will be placed in a special unit, under the supervision of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The law, which is only expected to generate a few thousand additional soldiers, comes as Ukraine desperately attempts to boost its military ranks. Last month, a bill introduced by Volodymyr Zelensky already lowered the draft mobilization age from 27 to 25. The country is currently bracing for a big Russian offensive later this spring, and more than weapons and technology, analysts say manpower remains its biggest challenge to stave off a much larger foe, which has been drafting tens of thousands of inmates from its prisons since the start of the war.

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Ukraine Invasion