Private military companies in russia are planning to recruit up to 10,000 volunteers from among convicts and send them to fight in Donbas in two months. One of the main tasks of such units will be to establish control over roads in the direction of Izyum-Slovyansk-Bakhmut, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate has said.
"Due to a shortage of willing candidates, recruitment is being stepped up in detention facilities. In particular, located in the Republic of Adygea. After signing and completing contracts with a PMC, the cons are promised a full amnesty. Recruits are being collected at a military training ground near the village of Molkino in Krasnodar Territory. It is known as a training base for members of the Wagner PMC," the intelligence service said.
It also noted that the PMCs are recruiting those willing to go to war in Ukraine in prisons in Rostov, St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod.
The recruiters do not care what kind of crime the candidates committed, even if it is murder or another grave act. Full amnesty is promised after six months of service.
Such "soldiers" must wear special badges indicating their status. Convicts will also be banned from having smartphones - only push-button mobiles.
Also, the FSB in Kostroma Region sent a request to the chairman of Vokhma municipal district for background information on persons prone to committing crimes under Article 207.3 and Article 280.3 of the russian Criminal Code. The articles concern public dissemination of false information and actions to discredit the Russian army and their participation in the aggression against Ukraine.
Special attention is paid to the relatives of russian servicemen who died in Ukraine or are still at war.