Russia is going to send more than 20,000 of defendants to war against Ukraine

The State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, has passed a bill that allows not only those already convicted or under investigation, but also more than 20,000 defendants (who are under trial) to sign contracts and be taken to the war against Ukraine.

Source: Vazhnye Istorii (Important Stories), a Russian media outlet, with reference to sources close to the process

Details: Two lawyers noted that although the law had not yet been signed by Putin, Russian pre-trial detention centres had already begun preparations to release defendants to go to war. Their words were confirmed by a source in the Russian Ministry of Defence, who is involved in recruitment. "Of the approximately 60,000 defendants, 40% are expected to be taken away," he said.

It is reported that about 100 defendants from each detention centre may be taken to the war. There are 210 detention centres in Russia, so more than 20,000 people could be sent to war. Investigators and operational police officers will be rewarded if they convince a person who is a defendant in court to sign a contract.

A source close to the Russian General Staff said that "the decision to send prisoners to the special military operation [as Russians call the war against Ukraine – ed.] indicates that the flow of convicts is depleting, it is no longer the same as before".

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