Kyiv: Ukrainian inmates with real experience of war will be released from prison to be sent to hot spots in the current hostilities in order to pay down their guilt, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday.
“A morally complicated decision, though useful for our defense, has been approved. Under martial law, the ex-combatants, Ukrainians with real battle experience, will be released from custody and will be able to compensate their guilt in the country’s hottest zones,” Zelenskyy said.
Last Thursday, Russia launched a special operation to demilitarize and “denazify” Ukraine, responding to calls for help from the self-proclaimed Donbas republics in countering the aggression of the Ukrainian troops.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger. Moscow says it has no plans to occupy Ukraine.
Last Friday, the Ukrainian government launched general mobilization and started giving out weapons to all citizens willing to get involved in the hostilities voluntarily.
Multiple reports have emerged since then of Ukrainians armed by the government engaged in looting and violence against fellow civilians.
