Over 10,000 convicts in Ukraine were paroled for mobilization into the Defense Forces. This was reported by the Department of Criminal Punishments of the Ministry of Justice in response to the request of lawyer Roman Lykhachev.
“As of September 1, 2025, more than 10,100 people were released on parole on the basis of Article 811 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and handed over to units of the National Guard of Ukraine, for delivery to territorial recruitment and social support centers”, says in the answer.
The Ministry of Justice reminded that the release of convicts for military service under a contract is possible during mobilization or under martial law. At the same time, not all categories of prisoners are subject to such release. It is prohibited to mobilize those convicted of the intentional murder of two or more persons, murder with particular brutality or in combination with sexual violence, as well as persons found guilty of particularly serious corruption crimes.
We remind you that on May 8, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada adopted draft law No. 11079-1, which allows certain categories of prisoners to join the ranks of the Armed Forces. This is possible only after a court decision and only on a voluntary basis.
In the party “ Servant of the people” clarified that this right does not apply to those convicted of corruption and those who held particularly responsible public positions, including deputies and ministers. The law also stipulates that prisoners who can be mobilized must have no more than three years left before the end of their sentence.
