BBC correspondents asked Malyuska to comment on the fact that previously only the Russian authorities were involved in the mobilization of prisoners to the front.
“I would be blind if I didn’t see the parallel. Of course, there is a parallel,” the minister replied. — There is no need to deceive yourself, but we are still talking regarding a difference in approaches. For them it was forced mobilization, they were all forced to go, they didn’t prepare anyone, without preparation it was just “meat.”
According to media reports, the mobilization of prisoners in Russia was voluntary, but in the early stages of the war they were asked to fight for six months, following which they were supposed to be pardoned and released. Later, the convicts began to sign a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense until the end of the so-called “special military operation” and without pardon, but only with conditional release.
The Minister of Justice of Ukraine suggested that “ten to twenty thousand” people might be mobilized from Ukrainian prisons and “definitely no more.”
“The question is in approaches. I’m saying that the numbers have not been calculated at all, because depending on each scenario the number will be different,” Malyuska said.
He added that much will depend on military medical commissions.
The full interview with Denis Malyuska can be read here (in Ukrainian).
Which Ukrainian prisoners can be mobilized?
The law adopted by the Rada prohibits the mobilization of those convicted of serious crimes, such as premeditated murder, rape, sexual violence, as well as those who received sentences for crimes once morest national security.
The restrictions also apply to officials convicted of corruption. However, in the final version of the law, parole for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine was allowed for those who committed unintentional murder (with the exception of those who committed such a crime while intoxicated or under the influence of medications).
In an interview with Malyuska, which was recorded before final approval in the Rada, the Minister of Justice supported the possibility of sending those convicted of murder to the front. He formulated his thought this way: “But [осужденные] for killing two or more, for example – if we take this category: why does a person go to war, if not to kill? Moreover, if we are talking regarding murderers, especially those sentenced to life, these are, as a rule, people who committed a crime at a very young age, 18-19 years old. […] And following decades in prison, now the psychological portrait of a person has nothing in common with the person who killed at the age of 18-19.”
The minister added that Ukrainian penitentiary institutions are now overcrowded, and “there have been no free places practically anywhere for a long time.” “Not least, I am very agitating for the mobilization of prisoners because, among other things, not to violate the standards for the number of people per certain area,” said Malyuska.
According to the law adopted by the Rada, the mobilization of prisoners is possible only by court decision and must be a voluntary decision of the person, subject to the consent of the commander of the military unit. The prisoner must be suitable for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine due to his mental state and health. There must be no more than three years left before the expiration of his sentence.
Former prisoners will serve in special units; the commanders of the military unit where they are sent must look following them.
Lack of people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Against the background of the active offensive of the Russian army in various sectors of the front, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to experience a shortage of military personnel.
Western media have repeatedly written regarding the fatigue of existing Ukrainian units, many of which have been fighting since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.
In April of this year, the Verkhovna Rada adopted amendments to the law on mobilization, which are designed to facilitate the sending of new military personnel to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new law tightens the rules for military registration, strengthens sanctions once morest “evaders” and specifies provisions on deferment from mobilization.
The law also excluded provisions on the demobilization of already fighting fighters of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, as well as the mandatory rotation of military personnel on the front line.
Earlier, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky said that the military asked him for additional mobilization of 500 thousand people into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, later Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal said that there was no need to attract such a large number of people.
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2024-05-10 13:16:05
