The number of prisoners in Russia has dropped by more than 180,000 over five years, in part driven by Moscow sending convicts to fight in Ukraine, Russia’s prison chief said Thursday.

The number of prisoners in Russia has dropped by more than 180,000 over five years, in part driven by Moscow sending convicts to fight in Ukraine, Russia’s prison chief said Thursday.

Archived version: https://archive.is/newest/https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/russias-prison-population-falls-by-180000-since-ukraine-war/

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  • Sepia@mander.xyzEnglish
    21·
    12 days ago

    Saving Billions, Cynically: A Very Special Military Operation

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    A [Russian] Interior Ministry leak attributes around 200 serious crimes (e.g. murder, rape, or armed robbery) as well as 750 civilians killed/injured to ex-convicts who underwent the prison recruitment circuit, then got re-arrested as of April 2024. And at least some of those who got re-sentenced and re-imprisoned were ultimately sent back to the frontlines, thus creating a legal loop. For example, in Belgorod and Rostov-on-Don, prosecutors registered around 40 cases of amnestied fighters who went on a second military contract instead of prison, creating an explicit revolving door. Putin himself has publicly called repeat offending by pardoned fighters “inevitable” but “minimal,” signaling tolerance for this loop …