Ukraine follows Russia and turns to prison population to boost troop numbers

Russia has recruited thousands of convicts to fight in its so-called Special Military Operation, and Ukraine is now doing the same as it struggles to match Moscow's huge reserves of manpower.
The late Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the mercenary Wagner Group and himself a former convict, gave prisoners a choice: join up, fight in Ukraine - and if you survive you'll be pardoned and go home.
It was actually a better deal than the regulars got - and there were plenty of takers.
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[@randommadness1021]

When I was in prison back in 2014 in Scotland, there were posters on the wall asking inmates to sign up for the Army, so we have no right in what Ukraine or Russia is doing with their prisoners when we were already doing it ourselves.

[@Jeffybonbon]

Prisoners could make good soldiers they have a poor life and the Forces could be the best move they could make Orphans make super solders the army can become the family they never had I think we have got prisons and punishment all wrong in this country Give a man training and a chance and skills is the way to help prisoners who have gone off the rails yes there are evil criminals and they should never see the outside again but they are a minority as an instructor i would have like the chance to train ex cons and give them a second chance in life

[@randommadness1021]

@@Jeffybonbon Well said.

[@brando4422]

Surprised you haven't been called a bot yet, I constantly have from people who pretend it's a Russian thing. They would be surprised if they looked into the French legion.

[@bigman9854]

@@brando4422 The Russian thing is letting dangerous criminals out, though, like the absolute worst of the worst.

[@liambeevor1696]

Half my battalion had criminal records 🤣

[@true.is.around]

ur ruzz troll, thats why

[@teddypicker8799]

@liambeevor1696 as wellington would affectionately say " I have the scum of the earth"

[@Sr.Princip]

You were not saying these things when Russia did it ...but ok,hipocrisy

[@randommadness1021]

@@liambeevor1696 other half never got caught!!

[@vadimbobov4051]

@@Sr.Principwagner hired know killers rapists and other serious offenders ,Ukraine is not doing that in fact had specifically said it will not allow anyone who has committed those crimes to be conscripted

[@ilyanization]

Much better convicts instead of 20 year old programmers with baby on the way

[@ShredCo]

So you've accepted that it is a pointless and suicidal war but you still support it? What a clown.

[@bigmatthews666]

I disagree

[@JuniorJuni070]

that one guy who just wanted to smoke weed thinks otherwise

[@barbosaguzman6101]

Look ukraine recruiting prisoners Who's laughing now 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ad_astra5]

That’s either a strawman or just a really not well thought out argument

[@sabian8700]

I'm pretty sure Ukraine recruited convicts since the start of the war, specially with members of a certain unit called ''Tornado Battallion''

[@nicholasshaler7442]

Murdering hundreds of thousands in an unjust war is hardly a Slav issue.

[@raidenj1295]

Also the na*i battalion

[@Lasstpak]

The thing that excited for barley a year during beginning of the war in Donbas? Very relevant yes.

[@meme4one]

When Russia does this, everyone calls them desperate and without morals

[@SaakeliSaatana]

Because they are the invader

[@meme4one]

@@SaakeliSaatana so what? Is this a desperate act or not? Which is it?

[@Mr1234543211]

@@SaakeliSaatana They do not have 800 bases around of the world to secure their borders

[@SaakeliSaatana]

@@Mr1234543211 the US has those bases to protect other countries from Russia and China. It's not like the US has occupied those countries and built bases

[@dadistos4538]

Because they supposedly had substantially more military strength than Ukr did, that's why it was called that way. If this were true then why pull convicts? The fact that it's taken this long, years mind you, for them to do this is a testament to be honest. This is a logical choice for a much smaller country to be doing when they have significantly less manpower.

[@jon1801]

Accept corruption is at the heart of both these combatants and? You see that it is just a proxy war. Slav issues for Slavs to sort out.

[@Lasstpak]

You must be special

[@jon1801]

@@Lasstpak No, just a realist.

[@viandengalacticspaceyards5135]

Ukraine announced it would not take violent offenders into that program.

[@meme4one]

They are the ones you want. No ped0s or tax cheats.

[@notmenotme614]

I read in ww2 the best soldiers were violent offenders. As it takes a certain mentality to want to kill someone. The “mummy’s boys” would cower.

[@paulurban2472]

Do you actually believe them? And who cares if their violent offenders if the country is on the verge of collapsing

[@mysticnovelbro]

this is incorrect and I'd like to know where you've heard this can't be having any narratives round these here parts, pal. as there's already reports of penal-personnel escaping from AFU custody, and its only been a week since the legislation was signed, sealed and implemented. this is no secret either, as there is plenty footage of the Ukrainian Verkovna Rada majority-voting this proposal. plenty footage of Zelensky, Yermak and Syrsky talking about this proposal. so i'll ask you once and once only where you getting your lies from, mate?

[@The-Thirteenth-Floor]

Define 'violent' ? If you mean the type who would gouge someone's eyes out in battle, phew.... Little wonder they are losing.

[@richardmarsden5610.]

In 1588 when the Spanish armada approached England Queen Elizabeth the first opened the jails and put many of the convicts onto ships to fight the Spanish.

[@northernskys]

Very disappointed in this particular report from Forces News. It has a distinct lack of detail in regards to Ukraine's prison recruitment scheme, with the presenter constantly referring to Russia's method of prison "recruitment", constantly calling them "criminals", rather than inmates, subtlely implying they are hardened lifers, similar to those recruited in Russia, and being recruited "Wagner" style. Where as the Ukrainian inmates currently being looked at, are non violent offenders, serving sentences for drug offenses, driving offenses and the like, willing to volunteer for service. Plus, the release of these inmates has to be approved by a judge, and they must meet physical, and medical, minimums, just like any recruit. And, unlike the "meat' recruited from Russia prisons, the Ukrainians will be integrated with normal recruits, and trained, and treated, exactly like them. This report was definitely not up to the usual standard of detail expected.

[@Awesomes007]

Well put. Thank you.

[@15-Peter-20]

I wouldn’t be so sure

[@The-Thirteenth-Floor]

Balanced and accurate reporting finally left the room in 2020.... I will give them credit though, as this will not be reported by MSM, they only splash the front pages to mock the other side. What a sad country this is.

[@CataEnjoyer]

What else do you expect from want-to-be amateur journalism

[@jingle9691]

The fact nobody else is reporting on this from what I can find right now is what worries me

[@notmenotme614]

“We promise you’re not going to be used in a meat grinder” What else do they think happens in a stalemate war of attrition?

[@stevebarlow3154]

Meat grinder refers to the human wave tactics used by the Russian Army, where they try to overwhelm Ukraine's defences with sheer numbers and don't care how many of their soldiers are killed if they gain a few metres of land. Ukraine is using more conventional infantry tactics. It is hard fighting, but the Russians are losing 20 or 30 men for every Ukrainian lost.

[@davidkavanagh189]

​@@stevebarlow3154 Incorrect. Meat Grinder is a general term to denote excessive loss of life for little or no gain. Human waves or not(and I've seen zero footage of such waves), the situation is a stalemate meat grinder for both sides by any measurement. I can absolutely assure you the Russians are NOT losing 20 or 30 for every one Ukrainian. That is completely laughable. In certain engagements sure, but nowhere near that overall. The Ukrainians are taking insane losses that their own government are doing their best to hide.

[@Dragoot]

Wait, at 0:56, it was said that some of the criminals returned home to commit new crimes, and at 2:25 that they did not receive a pardon. So, which of this is true? If anything.

[@RomeoMike22]

The mod not doing their own vetting sounds crazy

[@David_Crayford]

Besides the content, it is interesting to see the narrator and studio equipment on camera.

[@randommadness1021]

Yeah, couldn't believe it when I saw that!! WOW!!

[@derek6579]

At least they volunteered, unlike the Ivan’s!

[@basseinboy]

Ukraine's version of PMC Wagner.

[@uprrslo]

They can’t go home.

[@ad_astra5]

If “Jail or the Army” worked, then it’s a good idea. But I don’t know enough since iirc it went away in the west

[@teddypicker8799]

Its funny how the comments wre much more positive on this channel when russia is sleeping 🤔

[@richardmarsden5610.]

Welcome to the bottom of the internet. 95% of comments are posted by foreign troll farms. Thankfully nothing said down here in the depths has any effect on the real world. It's all white noise.

[@nsevv]

No copy russia, it is a common practice in every war.

[@davidkavanagh189]

No it isn't

[@realtalk5329]

Theres a big difference ukraine is actually doing it morally by only asking volunteers from prisoners that get out relatively soon so they are still volunteers. Russia was recruiting from people with life sentences i think

[@hourbee5535]

Too little. Too late.

[@DonElFernando]

But even the Ukrainian prisoners refuse to sign for Ukraine as canon fodder, with a lack of EVERYTHING

[@brianlai4387]

Remember when Zelensky mocked Putin for recruiting prisoners? I guess Putin is having the last laugh now, since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I see Ukrainian commanders and Zelensky taking the playbook from Russia now, trying to mimic Soviet style tactics and strategy because they realize listening to NATO didn't yield them any gains during the last summer offensive.

[@ZaynSalimon7089]

Meatgrinder goes both ways, does it not?

[@wiktorpoliszczuk1372]

The problem is that the Ukrainians were not being prepared for the attack of Russians, but for the barbecue on May 9, "And the population rejoiced and applauded the invitation to the barbecue, not knowing that they and their children would be the meat for the barbecue.",,

[@sedled2829]

Nothing new for humans

[@Homeschoolsw6]

2:17..." better at keeping their word " That bad faith is going to hurt Russia. Wait for it.

[@jingle9691]

I cant find any other news outlet reporting on this 🤔

[@-Fritz-]

..................except for literally every other news outlet.

[@jingle9691]

​@@-Fritz-nope, sorry, all I'm getting in results when I search is about the Putin - Turkey talks 🤔

[@-Fritz-]

@@jingle9691 If you can't find it, you're not even looking.

[@chriscarlton2114]

YES!!! Please accept UK citizens with minor convictions to help the war effort please UK government allow this, we have thousands who wud go and help but are currently not allowed, Ukrainians are taking there wifes to the front that's bad...cut the red tape and let ex convicts fight for the free world

[@benhaley9811]

I agree, what could go wrong giving thousands of men with poor judgement, heavy weapons and a one way ticket to a place with almost no scrutiny. Sounds like a great idea with no flaws. Gonna guess you're voting reform.

[@richardmarsden5610.]

What are you talking about? Show how little you know. There is NO LAW stopping a person with a criminal record from joining the British army and Ukrainian soldiers are NOT taking their wives to the front line.

[@richardmarsden5610.]

​@@benhaley9811That's a lying foreign bot farm account. There's no law stopping men with criminal records joining the British Army. If someone is convicted of a serious crime, murder, $ex offender etc etc, then it's the job of the army to refuse their application to join. Silly troll farms not knowing UK Laws.

[@Emma.Ari123]

Seems like a ukrianian puppet! Get going!

[@hiesman6]

But I thought Ukraine was winning

[@teddypicker8799]

In terms of equipment losses ukraine is winning by 3-1 ratio by photo evidence on oryx and warspotted. Ukraine also recaptured around 52% of lost territory so they winning by that metric too

[@richardmarsden5610.]

READ IT AND WEEP. Russian KIA. 547,000 Ukrainian KIA. 87,000 NATO KIA. 0

[@richardmarsden5610.]

​@@teddypicker8799That account has only posted 7 comments in 13 years. Classic example of a recently purchased bot farm account. Troll it and move on to the next one and troll that one too.

[@davidkavanagh189]

@@richardmarsden5610. The true figures aren't known to any degree of accuracy so I'm curious where you got your fantasy numbers from?

[@davidkavanagh189]

@@teddypicker8799 The vast vast majority of that territory was recaptured ages ago. Since then it has been a stalemate and they have lost more territory.

[@bw7228]

Can you blame Ukraine honestly they need all the numbers they can get obviously a get out of jail free card

[@Териан-л4ъ]

Дратутеее так что это здесь у нас :З

[@whoisme678]

No rapists. I hope the Ukrainian prisoners are not serious crimes

[@davidkavanagh189]

Yeah sure. They promise they will only recruit convicts who forgot to pay their TV licence

[@Jeffybonbon]

I always thought Ukarain biggest problem is man power Russia dosent have that problem unfortunately

[@colinobrien3806]

prigozin : " the war is hard its nothing like the afghan or chechen war " the two easy wars was it ? deceased prigozins wise words .. omg

[@pranaypaudel9420]

Patriotic songs n nationalism mindfulness have to be part of training session before their deployment so they may not go stray for the next deal 😉

[@TheBooban]

Draft age of 25? It should be 18. Let the ones with families and jobs continue with contributing that way.

[@asterixdogmatix1073]

No. Allow the youth time to finish their education and have a relatively normal life first. Older soldiers with life experience have valuable skills they can bring to the fight.

[@TheBooban]

@@asterixdogmatix1073 so they can spend years in college, get their first job and then die at 25? Real smart investment! Meanwhile, country full of widows and kids who never knew their dad. Or did you think the wars going to end soon?

[@teddypicker8799]

I think ukraines plan is to just simply wait for Russia to collapse. Russian war economy is on a timer. Spending all this money on replacing tanks etc to be destroyed again is not a sustainable economy

[@teddypicker8799]

So yeah don't need to outnumber russian infantry numbers just have enough to hold the lines

[@TheBooban]

@@teddypicker8799 do y’all realize Ukraine is losing? Better get them 18 yr olds in the war and 25yr olds keep making babies and contributing to the economyz

[@David-hi9rp]

I think it is a good idea to have Prisoners drafted into the Ukraine Military as not all Prisoners are Sex offenders rapists or murderers many are thieves and minor crimes but saying that people that have committed violent crimes are useful take for instance many people in the UK military come from difficult backgrounds which like the UK Commandos in WW2 was just what Churchill needed that also started the SAS

[@randommadness1021]

@David-hi9rp What was the quote again? We want good soldiers, but need evil ones. Or something like that Churchill said.

[@thegoldenpathh]

Hey ukraine sign me up i wanna come over

[@dangdut1]

Is prisoner can be soldier ?? Yes if they are do training, What we know need long time to get prepare a man to be a good soldier. Is not like a street fighting or mafia who kill a weak person, that don't have properly self defense. Your enemy have same ability and equipment or maybe more than you 😁

[@lankriverfront8360]

The difference is Russia did it to use them as cannon fodder, while Ukraine is defending its country

[@stiannunn5113]

😂🤣🤡

[@richardgray3112]

Fodder is Fodder.

[@kwtinternational4451]

Ukraine is want to be Russia 2.0 lol

[@Redpilled66]

Meat grinder

[@forresta65]

except they don't do meat attacks.

[@NANA-rc8lo]

A general just got kick out for sending soldiers into a meat grinder 😂😂

[@OakInch]

LOL. Makes me laugh how you spin Ukraine forcing prisoners into the army due to their massively outsized losses, after laughing at Russia for taking volunteers Dude. Every unit in Ukraine's military is a meat grinder. Ukraine is out of bodies. And no, it is not just the "good prisoners" who never did anything bad. LOL. The cope is real.

[@viandengalacticspaceyards5135]

By your own definition, that would mean Russia was scraping the barrel over a year ago, wouldn't it ?

[@TheBooban]

@@viandengalacticspaceyards5135their barrel is bigger.

[@viandengalacticspaceyards5135]

@@TheBooban Yes, makes it worse, if you have a bigger one, and have to start scraping earlier too.

[@OakInch]

@@viandengalacticspaceyards5135 Cope. read what I wrote.

[@TheBooban]

@@viandengalacticspaceyards5135 how is it worse? So neither should be using prisoners?

[@NafaaFPV]

Aww look at you now 🤣

[@sunkistlbc]

It’s stupid that their age limit is 25 now. Should be 18

[@sergiom9958]

No, its not.

[@Дмитрий-с8е5ы]

14

[@anthonyhulse1248]

Ukraine is trying to save the youth of the country. It actually hopes for a better future. Whereas Russia fears it’s young.

[@fredo1070]

Ukraine was doing this at the beginning of the war, with one difference, the prisoners were given a choice, now they are forced to fight.

[@raphaelcaldwell3831]

no they were not they were prisoners kept in prison, this person is incorrect and this is not true

[@ilyanization]

@@raphaelcaldwell3831it’s a Russian troll

[@Дмитрий-с8е5ы]

​​@@raphaelcaldwell3831that's true famous Ukro nazi Mojahed was freed from ukro prison at the start of the war hes dead now tho

[@anthonyhulse1248]

@@Дмитрий-с8е5ыthe only Nazis in Ukraine are wearing Russian uniforms. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

[@SeymourCr]

​@@Дмитрий-с8е5ыthe Nazis invaded Poland and Russia invaded ukraine. Who is more like the Nazis?

[@nathanielwhite8769]

What a state of affairs, when the situation in Ukraine reaches this. Zelenskyy and Putin need to be brought to the negotiating table quickly, in order to end the bloodshed, whether Westminster and our NATO allies like it or not!

[@SteveInsidious]

😂😂😂

[@spartanlambda1884]

OMG this war gets more sinister by the day. Zelensky now scraping the barrel. He will fight to the last Ukranian, then scarper to his spiritual homeland.

[@anthonyhulse1248]

The war got sinister when putin invaded.

[@barbosaguzman6101]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@FrancoViscuglia]

Ukrainian army is in full retreat and all its soldiers are dead.

[@tomjones1424]

They are all dying for Nazi NATO without even being in NATO, how stupid is that?🎉🎉😂

[@ale-hl8pg]

how......are they......nazis..?

[@SteveInsidious]

💯

[@stevebarlow3154]

@tomjones1424 The only Nazis are Putin and his cronies in the Kremlin.

[@Stupiditas-stupido]

I bet many gays been recruited 😁