Repeat offenders Thousands of Russian prisoners joined the army in exchange for an early release. Many have gone back to crime upon their return. — Meduza
meduza.io
The Russian authorities have been open about the fact that Wagner Group has recruited thousands of Russian prisoners — Russian President Vladimir Putin personally pardoned them in July 2022. Four months later, in October 2022, Russia’s Defense Ministry began to offer contracts to convicts. Many of the mercenaries and volunteers have already returned home and have gone back to their life of crime. Meduza is publishing 11 stories of repeat offenders from the past half year.

Since the start of 2023 alone, Russian courts have received at least 64 rape cases where military serviceman (this does not include Wagner Group mercenaries) were the defendants. In 2022, there were 110 such cases. Every second victim was a minor.