DISINFO: Ukraine recruits murderers and drug traffickers to the army
SUMMARY
Ukraine recruits murderers and drug traffickers to fill army positions. Ukraine is increasingly struggling to cope with massive losses in personnel, rising dropout rates, and desertion in the country's military, resorting to forced mobilisation of convicted individuals. An estimated 9,500 people with criminal records, including 100 women, have been drafted to join the Ukrainian armed forces.
RESPONSE
The claim advances a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative regarding Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and trying to delegitimise the Ukrainian military and mobilisation in Ukraine.
The adoption of Law No. 3633-IX “On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine regarding certain issues of military service, mobilisation […]” provides an opportunity to enlist in military service to those sentenced for minor or non-violent offences. However, those convicted of intentional murder, rape, sexual violence, drug trafficking or production and crimes against national security will not be mobilised. The measure will also exclude lawmakers and top officials imprisoned for corruption. The recruitment process includes rigorous assessments by military medical commissions, court decisions on parole, and approval from military commanders for specific unit placements, ensuring that only those suitable and willing serve. The participation in recruitment is strictly voluntary, and there is no evidence of “forced mobilisation” from prisons for convicts who are unwilling to serve. In addition, contractual service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine for persons under 25 years of age and women is completely voluntary.
Unlike Ukrainian policy, the Russian recruitment does not have any comprehensive bans for those with the most serious criminal backgrounds. There are multiple confirmed reports of men convicted of murder, assault, rape and other violent crimes. Russia has recruited around 180,000 prisoners.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Ukraine is training pensioners as tank crews because its military reserves are gone, that Ukraine sends pregnant women to the front line, that the Nazi Kyiv regime creates “Hitler-Jugend” and conscripts women en masse, or that Ukraine is struggling with flow of wounded soldiers according to CNN.