Official statements from the Ukrainian government

Putin Signs Law Granting Amnesty to Criminal Defendants Who Join Military, Expanding Ukraine War Effort

Oct 2, 2024, 02:22 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law allowing criminal defendants to join the military, thereby avoiding prosecution. This legislation exempts defendants from criminal liability if they enlist in the Russian army, effectively granting them amnesty. The move is seen as an effort to bolster the number of recruits for Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has lasted for two and a half years. The law enables thousands of suspects to sign military contracts and be sent to war, expanding the pool of potential soldiers for the military.