Russia engages up to 180,000 convicts for war against Ukraine

Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service reports.

“As of November 2024, the Russian Federation had recruited 140,000 to 180,000 people who had served their sentences for crimes in Russian prisons to participate in the Russian-Ukrainian war," the report says.

At the same time, foreign intelligence emphasizes that in 2024, 300,000 to 350,000 people were imprisoned in Russia, half as many as in 2014. The reason for the decrease is the Russian war against Ukraine, the report added.

The intelligence service also noted that since the beginning of 2025, a resolution has come into force in Russia, according to which a one-time cash payment for signing a contract with the Russian army is canceled for convicts.

"The legislative abolition of the one-time payment is evidence of the deepening crisis in the Russian economy and the shortage of financial resources. Previously, convicts received a one-time payment of $1,718 per contract. In July 2024, the amount of payment increased to $3,524. At the same time, convicts and their relatives are deprived of a number of payments and benefits received by members of volunteer formations. In addition, the salary of this category of persons is two to four times lower than that of other invaders," the intelligence explains.

• On December 31, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree according to which convicts who signed a contract with the Defense Ministry will not receive lump sum payments.