"From Redemption to Retribution: The Tragic Tale of a Wagner Ex-Convict's Deadly Return"

The use of convicts by the Wagner private military contractor in Ukraine has resulted in a series of violent crimes committed by ex-convicts upon their return to Russia. At least seven instances have been identified, including murder, sexual assault, robbery, and car theft. Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed to have recruited 50,000 convicts for Ukraine, and about 32,000 have returned. While Putin has stated that recidivism rates among these convicts are lower, concerns remain about the potential rise in crime as more convicts return from war. The Russian government is now seeking volunteers from prisons for contractual service in Ukraine.