Russia will release convicts back into society after pardoning them for fighting in Putin’s war

Russia is about to release thousands of convicts back into society after pardoning them for fighting in its barbaric Wagner mercenary group, Western officials have said.

According to the Defense Ministry’s latest intelligence update, the sentences of “violent offenders” with “traumatic combat experience” who took up arms for Vladimir Putin will now be commuted.

Wagner group recruitment was particularly high in the fall of last year amid the partial mobilization to refresh exhausted Russian troops. Those who joined are now being released from their sentences after serving six months on the front lines.

But half of the criminals who joined the Wagner group have now been killed or wounded, British intelligence said.

The Wagner group has grown in importance to Putin throughout his brutal war, with the group gaining more prominence in recent months after leading several attacks and claiming responsibility for the capture of Ukrainian territory.

In the intelligence update, the Defense Ministry said: “In the coming weeks, thousands of Russian convicts who fought for Wagner Group are likely to be pardoned and released.

Recruitment of Wagner prisoners peaked in the fall of 2022, when detainees were offered commutation after six months of service.

“While about half of the prisoners recruited are likely killed or wounded, evidence from Russia suggests the group is keeping its promise to release survivors.”

It added that certificates issued to released Wagner veterans were “endorsed by President Putin’s decree.”

But the Defense Ministry said the release of the recruited prisoners will cause significant personnel problems for the Wagner group and for Putin’s army.

Western officials believe that the Wagner group is now prohibited from recruiting prisoners. Putin and the leader of the group, Vevgeny Prigozhin, would disagree with the Wagner boss bringing success to the battlefield.

There are reportedly fears within the Kremlin that after the war in Ukraine, Prigozhin could try to unite his mercenaries to turn against Putin and seize power in Russian suburbs.

Prigozhin has also publicly criticized the Russian army and military leadership. He has a penchant for insulting and discrediting top military officials and anyone who gets in his way, angering many in the Russian government who want to rein him in.

The Defense Ministry intelligence update also added: “In addition, the sudden influx of often violent offenders with recent and often traumatic combat experience is likely to pose a major challenge to Russian wartime society.”

Prigozhin and his mercenary group are said to be currently fighting in Bakhmut in the Donbas region of Ukriane. Fighting in the area has raged for months and has resulted in some of the bloodiest and longest battles of the war.

But while they have achieved success in cities such as Soledar, Popasna and Lysychansk, the group is rapidly losing troops. Since many in his criminal ranks have been released, it is unknown how much power Prigozhin’s men will continue to wield in the war.

Amid the fighting in Bakhmut, Prigozhin continued to demand that the Kremlin supply him with ammunition, reinforcements and further support. Having lost more fighters, Prigozhin’s anger and tensions with Moscow are only expected to increase.