Ukraine army to enlist convicts in exchange of parole
3 Min Read
This updated legislation has received certification through Zelensky's signature.
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Ukrainian servicemen of the mobile air defense unit of Ukraine's 141st separate infantry brigade prepare their machine gun for a duty in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has enacted legislation allowing for the mobilization of incarcerated individuals in the country's war with Russia, as revealed by the parliamentary database on Friday.
The bill alters Ukraine's criminal code and related laws, ushering in "the institution of parole of persons from serving their sentences for their direct participation in the defense of the country, the protection of its independence and territorial integrity."
This updated legislation has received certification through Zelensky's signature.
Read more: Ukraine lost 510 soldiers in Donetsk battles: Russian MoD
In a bid to bolster Ukrainian forces, depleted by two years of conflict with Russia, the parliament passed a bill on April 11, tightening mobilization regulations.
It mandates all Ukrainian citizens eligible for military service to report to conscription offices within 60 days of the law's enactment. Zelensky officially signed this bill into law on April 16, with it slated to take effect on Saturday.
Whether the bill proves effective in bolstering the army is up for debate. While the law comes into effect tomorrow, the crucial deadline is mid-July, by which all liable individuals must update their information with the military authorities.
Non-compliance could lead to fines or license revocation, but it is unlikely that these penalties will be sufficient as incentives. The law grants police the authority to detain those not compliant, conditions that could potentially fuel corrupt practices.
Observers predict that many are expected to seek exemptions or resort to disappearing from state records altogether. This could leave hundreds of thousands or even millions outside the legal framework.
But the law's impact on mobilization remains questionable given the widespread reluctance to engage in conflict.
Read more: Without Western aid, Ukraine war could end in only two weeks: Borrell
Meanwhile, casualties continue to mount among Ukrainian ranks. Earlier today, Russia's Defense Ministry reported that Ukraine lost an estimated 3,725 soldiers in the Donetsk over the past week.
In other significant developments, Russia's central forces fortified their position, resulting in Kiev's loss of approximately 2,475 soldiers and four tanks, including Abrams.
The eastern group of forces successfully repelled two counterattacks, leading to Ukraine's loss of around 965 soldiers.
Moreover, in the northern region, Russia thwarted 21 counterattacks in the Kharkiv area, resulting in the loss of up to 1,175 Ukrainian soldiers.
Meanwhile, the western grouping repelled 37 counterattacks in the Luhansk People's Republic and Kharkiv region, leading to Kiev's loss of up to 960 soldiers.
