Russia proposes further easing of prisoner recruitment for military service

The Kremlin is seeking to further relax the conditions for recruiting prisoners into military service, with a draft amendment submitted to the State Duma. The proposed legislation would empower the Defense Ministry to enter into military service contracts with individuals convicted of certain serious crimes, removing existing restrictions. These changes are reportedly driven by the belief that the previous pool of recruited prisoners, heavily utilized in combat around Bakhmut, has been exhausted. If passed, the amendments would permit the recruitment of individuals convicted of smuggling cash or strategic goods, members of armed criminal groups, those disrupting critical infrastructure (including hackers), and those violating industrial safety regulations. Special attention is also being given to drug smugglers, with proposals to allow those imprisoned for drug trafficking to join the army. This expansion of prisoner recruitment follows a pattern that began with the Wagner mercenary group and was later adopted by the Defense Ministry. In November 2022, Russia permitted the mobilization of prisoners convicted of murder, robbery, and armed robbery. By June 2023, the recruitment criteria expanded to include suspects under pre-trial investigation and those whose cases were already being heard in court. Analysts suggest that a general mobilization could be announced in Russia after the upcoming elections, and regional authorities are reportedly pressuring businesses to identify potential recruits among their employees, threatening fines for non-compliance.