Shkval Battalion
| Shkval Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Батальйон Шквал | |
| Active | 2024 – Present |
| Allegiance |  Ukraine |
| Type | Penal military unit |
| Role | Assault troops[1] |
| Size | Battalion |
| Engagements | Russian Invasion of Ukraine |
The Shkval Battalion is a Ukrainian penal battalion that was formed in 2024 after the Verkhovna Rada passed Registered draft law No. 11079 which allowed for the mobilization of convicts into the Ukrainian Army.[2][3]
History
[edit]Formation
[edit]The battalion was formed in 2024 after a bill was passed and then signed into law by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky which allowed for the mobilization of convicts into the Ukrainian Army.[4]
Like other Russian and Ukrainian penal military units, members of the battalion are recruited from prisons on the premise that successful service would result in a deduction of their sentence.[5] Members of the battalion are offered wages ranging from $500 to $4,000 per month, depending on time spent on the front line. However, they are required serve in the military until the end of the war.[6] Members of the battalion were then trained by other Ukrainian units.[7][8] Like with other Ukrainian penal battalions, if a member of the battalion would attempt to desert or retreat without authorisation, an additional 5 to 10 years would be added to their sentence.[9]
Pokrovsk offensive
[edit]The battalion first saw action during the Pokrovsk offensive.[10] A Ukrainian officer who wanted to remain anonymous for safety reasons, told CNN that the battalion had refused to fight alongside conscripts due to their low morale and lack of motivation to fight.[6] Another Ukrainian officer claimed in a post on Telegram that the battalion had been thrown into assaults with no professional military training and no coordination with the other units which resulted in heavy losses.[11] However, Ukrainian media outlets reported that the battalion fights bravely and destroys Russian forces in large numbers.[6][12][13]
References
[edit]- ^ Ярослав, Остафійчук (May 28, 2024). "Minister of Justice tells where mobilised prisoners will serve - Ukrainian Komersant".
- ^ Dysa, Yuliia; Balmforth, Tom (8 May 2024). "Ukraine lawmakers back bill allowing some convicts to enlist in army". Reuters. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Ukraine moves to send convicts to the front line — minus the rapists and killers". Politico. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "President Zelensky signed the law on the voluntary mobilization of convicts". babel.ua. May 17, 2024.
- ^ News, A. B. C. "Ukraine's desperate need for soldiers spurs exodus of young men". ABC News.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ a b c Pleitgen, Sebastian Shukla, Frederik (September 11, 2024). "From convict to combatant, Ukraine enlists prisoners to fight Russian forces | CNN".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 884". Al Jazeera.
- ^ "Ukraine war briefing: Russia claims capture of two villages in Donetsk". July 29, 2024 – via The Guardian.
- ^ "The Ministry of Justice said that more than three thousand convicts have submitted statements of desire to serve in the army". babel.ua. May 21, 2024.
- ^ "Ukraine's Armed Forces show how former prisoners cleared Russian position in Donetsk Oblast – video". Ukrainska Pravda.
- ^ Monks, Kieron (August 23, 2024). "Ukraine deploys convict fighters alongside elite units in Kursk". inews.co.uk.
- ^ "Bradley-Supported "Shkval" Unit Prevents Russian Foothold in Novoselivka Persha".
- ^ "UAWire - Ex-convicts turn heroes: Ukrainian 'Shkval' battalion captures Russian positions in Donetsk region". www.uawire.org.