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Russia Recruits 180,000 Convicts for War Against Ukraine, Advancing 4,000 Square Kilometers Since November 2024

Jan 3, 2025, 07:38 AM

Ukrainian intelligence reports indicate that Russia has recruited up to 180,000 prisoners to fight in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine. This information was confirmed by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, which noted that this recruitment effort has been ongoing since at least November 2024. The recruitment of convicts is part of Russia's broader military strategy, which has seen significant territorial advances in Ukraine, with an analysis revealing that Russia advanced by nearly 4,000 square kilometers in 2024, a sevenfold increase compared to the previous year.