Putin Now Allowing Murderers, Thieves And Drug Dealers To Join Russian Military: Report

Russian President Vladimir Putin faced resistance from the country's citizens when he ordered a partial mobilization in late September to ward off Ukrainian troops, which were beginning to make headway.

Putin has now signed a law to draft into military service those citizens with expunged or outstanding convictions for murder, robbery, larceny, drug trafficking and other serious crimes, CNN reported.

Also Read: Putin's Military Forces Likely Shooting Retreating Russian Soldiers, Says UK intelligence

Criminals excluded from conscription are those who committed sex crimes against minors, treason, spying, and terrorism, as well as those convicted for assassinating government officials, hijacking aircraft, extremist activity and illegal handling of nuclear materials and radioactive substances, the outlet added.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reportedly said this week that partial mobilization activities stand canceled after the targeted number of 300,000 personnel was reached. Putin, however, has yet to issue an official decree suspending mobilization and until this is done, the president can at his behest recruit people for fighting in the war, CNN noted.

The Russia-Ukraine war has been raging since late February and has disrupted the global economy. An Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development report released in late September said the Russian war would cost the global economy $2.8 trillion in lost output by the end of 2023.

See also: 'We Are Russians...We Believe Ukraine Should Win This War:' Activist Urges West To Confront Putin

Photo: Courtesy of ΝΕΑ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ and Mussi Katz on flickr