The Russian government continues to seek ways to replenish its armed forces, preparing another expansion of the list of citizen categories eligible to be sent to war against Ukraine. A package of draft laws has been submitted to the State Duma, radically changing recruitment rules: now, even those who have committed serious specific crimes, previously serving as an absolute ban on service, will be able to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense.

As reported by RBK-Ukraine citing The Moscow Times, Russian authorities intend to remove legislative restrictions for certain articles of the Criminal Code. The official motivation is simple: the previous contingent of prisoners was largely exhausted during the fighting for Bakhmut, and the Putin regime urgently needs new human resources.

List of "Needed" Criminals

The document has already appeared in the electronic database of the lower house of parliament. The draft law stipulates that a criminal record for certain categories of crimes will no longer be an obstacle to being sent to the front. The list of articles proposed for exclusion from restrictions has expanded significantly compared to previous initiatives.

Among the categories that will now become "draftable," particular attention is drawn to articles regarding illegal handling and theft of nuclear materials. Those who organized illegal migration are also being called to war. Even the loss of documents containing state secrets (Article 284 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) will no longer hinder service in the army.

Special emphasis in the new package is placed on drug smuggling. The government proposes allowing the recruitment of persons convicted under Article 229.1 (parts 1–3 and certain points of part 4). This means that professional drug traffickers will become part of the Russian occupation forces.

Experts note a worrying point: in Russia, a drug charge can be "pinned" on almost anyone if desired. An ordinary opposition figure, thanks to police or investigator manipulation, could be turned into a drug trafficker, after which they would face a choice: go to the front or go to prison.

Evolution of the "Legal" Conscription of Convicts

The process of recruiting prisoners in Russia has been ongoing for a long time. It all started with the private military company "Wagner," but subsequently, the initiative was fully taken over by the Ministry of Defense. Over the past period, legislation has changed several times:

  • Since November 2022, Russia has allowed the mobilization of people with criminal records for murder, robbery, and banditry.
  • In June 2023, deputies allowed contracts to be signed not only by those already convicted but also by those under investigation.
  • Later, the norm was expanded even to those whose cases are already being considered in court.

Currently, Russia is secretly preparing the ground for a general mobilization necessary to continue the war against Ukraine. According to analysts, the likelihood of such a mobilization will increase after the elections in Russia in the autumn.

Pressure on Business and Regions

Alongside legislative initiatives, regional authorities in Russia are demanding that entrepreneurs provide people for the war. If business owners are not ready to send their employees to the front, they are offered to pay "ransom." Thus, Moscow is trying to solve the problem of personnel shortages using all available levers of pressure, from prison cells to the commercial sector.