From Prison to the Front Line, from the Battlefield to Exile: "Parolees" Participating in the Special Military Operation – Is the Benefit Greater Than the Harm or Vice Versa? Let's Analyze

General Sobolev: Some use their parole opportunity to escape, but most go to the front line to no longer feel ashamed of their past

The Russian State Duma has received a draft law proposal that suggests increasing the punishment for desertion by two categories of people: those who have been convicted and those in custody who signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense and were paroled to join the military.

The explanatory note of the legal document (published in the legislative work support system) states that according to the draft, "evading the duty of military service by pretending to be sick or through other means" will be punishable by up to 12 years in prison, while open desertion will be punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Statistics on desertion cases will remain classified until the special military operation ends. The scale of these data may not be large, but media and the public have already learned of some related cases.

The newspaper "Svoboda" reported on a case where someone faked an injury by having a military doctor implant shrapnel into a "volunteer." At that time, all the responsible persons received punishments that were clearly symbolic, with insufficient severity.

It was also reported that there was a direct case of desertion: 39 soldiers who had been in custody carried weapons and fled from the area of the special military operation to Rostov region.

Regarding whether recruiting parolees to serve in the area of the special military operation is beneficial or harmful, two generals of the Russian army expressed their views to "Svoboda."

"Anyone can make a mistake and get into a difficult situation; no one is completely immune. Many of these prisoners want to contribute to the country and wash away their shame. Now the country gives them such an opportunity," said Viktor Sobolev, a Russian Army Major General, former commander of the 58th Army of the North Caucasus Military District, member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and chairman of the military movement.

"But some also use the opportunity of parole to escape. Obviously, not only should the punishment be increased, but the discipline of the army must be strengthened comprehensively.

Recalling the Great Patriotic War (World War II) and the Civil War, we achieved victory, among other factors, due to the centralized command, careful planning, and strict military discipline at that time.

During the Civil War, those who seriously violated discipline in the Red Army were considered traitors and purged without mercy. It was precisely in this way that we first defeated the foreign interventionists and then defeated the White Guards.

During the Great Patriotic War, officers who made mistakes were sent to punitive battalions for a maximum of three months; if they fought bravely to redeem themselves, their service period could be shortened. Afterward, their rank and military medals would be restored.

Soldiers who violated discipline were assigned to punitive companies.

Therefore, I believe that without strict military discipline, it will be difficult for us to cope with the various challenges facing the area of the special military operation."

"Svoboda": How frequent are the problems caused by parolees in the area of the special military operation?

"Not very high, but unfortunately, such cases do exist, including cases of sabotage. Someone deliberately lay down, put his leg next to an obstacle, and threw out an RG-42 grenade filled with small shrapnel, causing a 'wound.' After that, these people not only claimed they had 'bloodied themselves' but also asked for compensation for their injuries.

Such people must be punished strictly according to the law, without any leniency.

The army must have strict discipline, because without discipline, even if the majority of soldiers have a spirit of dedication, patriotism, bravery, and determination, these qualities alone may not be sufficient to ensure victory.

We will review this draft law in the committee and hope it will be passed."

"Svoboda": Viktor Ivanovich (Sobolev), how are prisoners selected to serve in the area of the special military operation now? Are they all accepted as long as they are physically fit and willing to join the army, or are there other selection criteria?

"Those involved in this selection process should not only be the prison management, but also psychologists and professionals who assess individual personality and thinking styles. It is indeed not easy to distinguish between those who truly want to contribute to the country and are willing to sacrifice, and those who just go through the motions and habitual offenders, but we must learn to do so.

Currently, I can confirm one thing: people convicted of serious crimes (such as intentional murder, rape) must not be conscripted or sent to the front. This must be completely excluded."

"Svoboda": It is clear that the details of troop deployment in the area of the special military operation are confidential. But can you roughly explain what percentage of the personnel who were paroled from prison and served in the area of the special military operation?

"The exact number is confidential, and I cannot reveal it. However, in terms of proportion, I can say this: if we separate the volunteers in the area of the special military operation from the regular forces of the Russian Ministry of Defense, then the proportion of parolees among the regular forces does not exceed 5%.

In other words, the number of such personnel is not large, but the majority of them are loyal and brave in combat, contributing to our future victory. They hope to return to their hometowns as normal citizens in the future, no longer feeling ashamed of their past, but instead being proud of taking the right path and helping the country."

General Leonid Ivashov, who is known for his bravery in the Pristina operation, holds a different view on recruiting parolees to serve in the area of the special military operation.

"Prisoners use the opportunity of the special military operation to gain freedom, from a harsh prison environment to a more free state. Whether the country can give them this opportunity — to repay their sentence on the battlefield? In my opinion, this issue should be decided by the Constitutional Court.

In my opinion, prisoners going to the area of the special military operation are not for sacrificing for the country or risking their lives, but to return home as soon as possible from prison. I don't know how much help these people can bring to the front line," General Ivashov told "Svoboda."

For the latest briefings, news, and all important information about the special military operation, please follow "Svoboda"'s special coverage on the "Special Military Operation."

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7554344840004125227/

Disclaimer: The article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion below using the 【top/down】 button.