In a significant move to address Ukraine's urgent need for military personnel, the country's parliament has passed a bill permitting certain prisoners to enlist in the armed forces.

This decision comes as Ukrainian forces face a critical shortage of manpower, worsened by ongoing Russian advances on the battlefield, according to reports from Al Jazeera.

Wednesday's decision marks a notable change in Kyiv's position on the matter. Previously, Ukrainian authorities had strongly opposed such actions, often criticizing Moscow for using prisoners to boost its military forces.

The bill's approval by parliament is a crucial step, pending final endorsement from the chairperson of parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before it becomes law.

"The parliament has given its approval," confirmed MP Olena Shuliak, leader of President Zelenskyy's party, in a Facebook post. She explained, "The proposed law allows certain categories of prisoners who wish to defend their country to join the Defense Forces."

According to the proposed law, participation in mobilization would be voluntary and limited to specific categories of prisoners. Notably, individuals convicted of sexual violence, multiple homicides, severe corruption, and former high-ranking officials are excluded from eligibility, clarified Shuliak.

Prisoners with less than three years left on their sentence can apply for mobilization, with the guarantee of parole rather than a pardon if they are enlisted.

However, despite the bill's passage, the organization Protection for Prisoners of Ukraine expressed disappointment with its contents. Oleg Tsvily, the head of the NGO, voiced concerns about perceived discrimination within the law, citing the removal of leave for mobilized prisoners and uncertainties about their length of service.

"While we support the intention behind the law, the passed text is discriminatory," lamented Tsvily. He also expressed fears about the potential creation of "special units" for mobilized soldiers, worried about the treatment of prisoners similar to reported practices by the Wagner mercenary group in Russia.

The recruitment of prisoners into military service has been a contentious issue since Russia's invasion in February 2022, with accusations of coerced enlistment and promises of presidential pardons for service.

This recruitment strategy was led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, famously filmed visiting Russian prisons to recruit soldiers for his Wagner Group.

As Ukraine continues to face heightened Russian aggression, efforts to boost military recruitment have intensified.

Recent measures include stricter penalties for draft evasion and a reduction in the draft age from 27 to 25, highlighting the nation's commitment to strengthening its defenses against ongoing threats.

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