With a lack of ammunition and men at the front, Ukraine will release prisoners who want to fight Russia

Some Ukrainian prisoners will be able to apply for early parole and enlist in the army under a new law aimed at bolstering Kiev’s ranks in its fight against the Russian invasion.

The new law only applies to prisoners who have less than three years to serve and will not cover those who have committed the most serious crimes.

The Ukrainian parliament voted this Wednesday to amend the country’s criminal code to allow the “early conditional release” of prisoners in exchange for “their direct participation in the defense of the country, in the protection of its independence and territorial integrity”.

According to a statement from the “Servant of the People” party, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, inmates who will not be eligible include “those who committed premeditated murders, rapists and pedophiles, corrupt officials, those who committed crimes against the foundations of national security of Ukraine and those who held particularly responsible positions, including deputies and ministers”.

The action follows a series of advances by Russian forces along the front lines and comes as part of a wider initiative by Ukraine to address shortages of troops and ammunition.

Russia has been recruiting prisoners since the first months of the war and has used them in some of the fiercest battles to date – leading to accusations that the Kremlin views these troops as mere “cannon fodder”.

The recruitment of prisoners and their subsequent release into civilian life provoked a backlash in Russia, as many were rearrested after committing new crimes.

But Ukrainian authorities hope that the measure will contribute, at least in some way, to resolving the imbalance they face against an enemy whose troop pool is at least three times greater.

“It is only possible to resist an all-out war against an enemy with more resources if we consolidate all forces. [Trata-se] of our struggle and the preservation of the Ukrainian state”, said Olena Shuliak, chairman of the Ukrainian parliament’s Commission for the Organization of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning.

Ukraine’s ruling party declared that the new law was approved by a majority of 279 votes out of a total of 330. There were zero votes against, 11 abstentions and 40 did not vote.

The new law requires convicts to enlist in the armed forces of their own free will. Those who leave the armed forces before the end of their contract are subject to additional prison sentences of five to ten years. It is not known for sure how long prisoners will have to enlist.

Shuliak stated that people released on parole to perform military service will have the status of “military personnel” and will therefore be subject to the same restrictions that govern their behavior.

“This includes, in particular, unauthorized abandonment of a military unit or place of duty, desertion, evasion of military service through self-harm or other means, unauthorized abandonment of the battlefield or refusal to use weapons”, as well as voluntary surrender, he said.

Applicants must first submit an application for parole. They will then undergo a medical examination at the penitentiary institution to determine whether they are mentally and physically fit to perform the service.

A court will then decide whether to grant parole. If so, the inmate will be transferred to a National Guard unit.

Contracts can be terminated in some circumstances, such as for health reasons or if the ex-prisoner commits a new crime. They may also be terminated as part of a broader demobilization.