Russia tries to recruit convicts from temporarily occupied eastern Ukraine

This is reported by the Center for National Resistance.

The Russian side is trying to recruit convicts from the temporarily occupied territories of eastern Ukraine, especially those convicted of creating fake republics.

According to information from the underground, the administration of the occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions ordered local collaborators to provide lists of convicts who were convicted under Ukrainian law and have been serving their sentences since 2014 or earlier.

They are trying to recruit these convicts into the Russian army, manipulating their feelings of resentment against Ukrainian law enforcement. If they refuse, they face threats of worse treatment in prison.

The Center warns that coercion to serve in the occupation forces is a violation of international law. Every invader who has committed crimes against the Ukrainian nation will be held accountable for their actions.

• The spokesman for the joint press center of the Tavria Defense Forces, Oleksandr Stupun, said that Russians plan to create assault units of former convicts to capture Robotyne.