18 female ex-convicts join Ukrainian army in combat, medical positions

According to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, these 18 former female prisoners are now part of the Ground Forces units, as reported by hromadske.

They have completed basic military training and are actively participating in combat operations.

Mobilization of convicts in Ukraine

In February, Ukrainian Justice Minister Denys Maliuska announced the need to mobilize convicts, noting that thousands of prisoners had expressed interest in joining the Armed Forces.

On April 10, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved a draft law on convict mobilization in its first reading, with 281 MPs voting in favor.

In May, the Verkhovna Rada passed the bill on convict mobilization, with 279 MPs supporting it. 

The same day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law allowing certain categories of prisoners to volunteer for the Armed Forces. This option only applies to those sentenced to restriction or imprisonment for minor offenses.