Kremlin no longer offers pardons to convicts going to war, significantly changes service conditions — ISW

Analysts of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported the information. 

Russian officials have likely stopped recruiting for Storm-Z units (former of convicts - ed.) in August 2023 and began recruiting convicts for Storm-V units based on new contract terms. 

"Russian officials previously recruited convicts through promises of pardons and six-month contracts, and “Storm-V” units reportedly provide no promise of pardon or even parole and extend convicts’ contracts indefinitely until the end of the war," the report said. 

The Kremlin likely extended the contracts based on Russian leader Vladimir Putin's order for partial mobilization, as the Russian military does with conscripts.

The Russian opposition outlet Vazhnye Istorii reported on January 25 that Storm-Z personnel had sent a letter to Putin asking him to resolve the problem of the lack of promised payments, payments for injuries, and documents on the removal of criminal records for personnel.

Instead, the Russian military prosecutor's office wrote that Putin's decree, which promises lump sum payments in case of injury or death, does not apply to Storm Z fighters.

• Soldiers of the Russian Storm-Z units receive minimal or no medical care in case of injury. However, Russia plans to return soldiers to the front even after amputations.