“Completely rehabilitated”
Putin honors fallen convicts in Ukraine
September 29, 2023, 7:23 p.m
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In the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia is also throwing tens of thousands of prisoners into the fight. In Moscow, Putin pays his respects to fallen prisoners. The Kremlin chief said the men had made mistakes in their lives and paid off their debts.
On the first anniversary of the annexation of four Ukrainian regions in violation of international law, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin honored killed Russian prisoners. Russian state media published a video of Putin meeting with soldiers who are said to have been involved in the war of aggression against Ukraine.
Putin said in the short film excerpt that the war effort freed the prisoners from their guilt. “We are all human beings, everyone can make mistakes, they made some. But they gave their lives for the fatherland and completely rehabilitated themselves,” Putin said.
Before speaking to military personnel, Putin observed a minute’s silence for former prisoners who died near Uroshayne in southern Ukraine. The Kremlin chief described the soldiers deployed at Uroshayne as “outstanding role models of courage and heroism.”
According to its own statements, the Russian army managed to repel a Ukrainian attack near Uroshayne. The information cannot be verified. In mid-August, Ukraine reported the liberation of the town in the Donetsk region.
Russia has recruited tens of thousands of prison inmates for combat operations since invading Ukraine more than 19 months ago. They were promised release in return for service at the front. In addition to the Russian army, the Wagner mercenary group in particular recruited fighters in this way. Many prisoners died in the extremely costly battles, for example around the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. There are also increasing reports of ex-prisoners returning from Ukraine committing new crimes in Russia.