Convicts in military service.

The Economist interviews one of the new Ukrainian units that is composed of some convicts under a new law that shortens their sentences in return for military service.

Certain prisoners are barred from the program including mass murderers and anyone convicted of sexual crimes. Those that apply go through a vetting process and court review.

It is a limited program with only ~10k max recruited.

Once accepted, they'll be treated like any other soldier and at the end of their service they'll be granted parole.

"Officer Kishak is in charge of one of the most unusual units in Ukraine’s week-old Kursk operation. It is not just his riotous style of command. A quarter of his 200-strong unit are convicts, released under a new scheme that trades sentences for service. Three months ago, the men were in prison. Now they are on their first mission, fighting inside Russia. Officer Kishak says they have turned out to be the best warriors he has seen. On August 13th the unit lost its first man, a 24-year-old named Mykhailo convicted of robbery."

"The commander says the early success of the experiment shows it is right to give people a second chance. He makes only two exceptions: rapists and Vladimir Putin. There is a comprehensive vetting process, but once the soldier is in, they are in. The convicts have the same rights as ordinary soldiers. The commander, who comes from a family of warriors says he offers tough love. “Sometimes you need to shout, or to order someone to do exercise, but you do this to keep them alive.”

The convicts reckon their new careers have rekindled a sense of purpose. Wikipedia says he is applying his computing degree to drones and electronic warfare. Officer Kishak advises his men to expect the unexpected—and that there are no limits to where Ukraine’s operations might go next. “I’ve always fancied opening a kebab shop in Moscow.”"