Russia sends prisoners to fight in Ukraine

The private military company Wagner Group is recruiting imprisoned criminals.

Photo: Internet

Reuters, citing a senior official from the U.S. Department of Defense, reports that the Russian private military company Wagner Group intends to recruit more than 1,500 convicted criminals to participate in the war in Ukraine.

“According to our information, the Wagner Group is suffering heavy losses in Ukraine, especially among young and inexperienced fighters,” the U.S. representative told reporters on condition of anonymity.

It is likely that Russia intends to replenish its ranks of militants with prisoners, but according to the source, many are refusing to join this group.

According to the U.S. representative, although the “Wagner Group” is not an official Russian entity, it is managed by oligarchs close to Putin, and it is they who are attempting to recruit prisoners.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that this group does not represent Russia, but private military contractors have the right to operate anywhere in the world as long as they do not violate Russian law.

Earlier, the agency reported, citing its sources, that Russia is offering unemployed migrants and those facing deportation up to $3,000 a month to join the ranks of the Russian army and go to fight in Ukraine.

Videos have appeared on social media where Russian soldiers detained by Ukrainian servicemen claimed to be citizens of Uzbekistan. According to them, Russia sent them to war because their residency documents had expired.