'I can kill and not be convicted': The Ukrainian convicts swapping jail for the battlefield

Published: 9/30/2025
'I can kill and not be convicted': The Ukrainian convicts swapping jail for the battlefield
Convicted criminals in Ukraine are joining the military to swap jail for the battlefield under a new law. Over 10,000 prisoners, including murderers, have enlisted, driven by a mix of motivation for redemption and revenge. While half have already perished in intense fighting, these ex-inmates believe their skills make them better soldiers than conscripts, with high morale and a deep sense of patriotism as they fight Russian forces in the ongoing conflict.