Olga IvshinaBbc Russian

Feb 3, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Elizaveta Fokht |Ilya Barabanov |Olga Ivshina |Olga IvshinaBbc Russian

Russia has been releasing prisoners to fight in Ukraine for more than a year, originally offering them a pardon and freedom after six months, even if they have been convicted of a violent crime. But the BBC has discovered this deal is a thing of the past. Now, they no longer get a pardon, face tougher conditions and instead of going home early, they must fight until the end of the war.