Ukraine needs to mobilize 200 thousand people by the end of the year, Welt reports on Monday, July 1.
The authors of the article point out that, "In addition to the lack of modern fighters and ammunition, Ukraine is a key problem with soldiers."
The article states that in order to "compensate for losses and the creation of new brigades" Ukraine needs to call at least 50 thousand people on a quarterly basis, and by the end of the year - 200 thousand. Interlocutors from "European security circles" have told reporters that in recent months, Ukraine "has been far behind these indicators." The recruitment of prisoners to the Ukrainian army "shows the seriousness of the situation." The Ministry of Justice reported that from May 2800 prisoners joined the defense forces.
The head of the Institute for Training of the Teresian Military Academy in Vienna Colonel Marcus Risner said that recruiting several thousand prisoners could improve the situation, but it is unlikely
Some prisoners are attracted to the prospect of starting all over and getting a good salary, but others are afraid that they will be used as "cannon meat".
The material also describes that the management of some prisons pursues their own interests and does not want to release prisoners, losing "cheap labor". One prisoner filed a lawsuit against the administration of the correctional colony in the Zhytomyr region not to release him into the army, saying: "It seems that those who work poorly want to get rid of, and such as I want to leave."
The authors of the article remind that the aggressor country is recruiting prisoners since the summer of 2022, and is now about twice more soldiers in Ukraine than at the beginning of a full-scale invasion. The invaders have an advantage due to the huge number of personnel and equipment.
In June, the Ministry of Defense reported "positive dynamics" at the rate of mobilization, the situation is improving compared to March and February.
On May 8, the Verkhovna Rada approved in the second reading the bill No. 11079–1, which allows some categories of prisoners to mobilize before the Armed Forces after a court decision and voluntarily. Mobilization is not subject to convicts for serious premeditated murders, rapes, sexual violence, crimes against national security, and more. The "servant of the people" party said that corrupt officials and people who held particularly responsible positions, including deputies and ministers, would not be able to enter the Armed Forces.
Prisoners who can potentially mobilize should be no more than three years before the expiration of the sentence.
According to the head of the faction of the "servant of the people" of David Arahamia, the potential mobilization resource among prisoners in Ukraine is 15-20 thousand people, but the contract will be signed approximately several thousand.
