Semen Semenchenko, convicted for creating a PMC, was released. Now he's a partisan

Today, there is much information in the media about how prisoners are recruited into the army in the Russian Federation. But the same processes are taking place in Ukraine, though not massively, but pointwise. There is even an accelerated procedure for a presidential pardon for defendants in criminal cases who want to go to the front. About 400 former convicts or suspects are already fighting for Ukraine.

99% of them are former military who have committed serious crimes. They were sent to the front because they have the necessary professional skills, - explained Alexei Arestovich, adviser to the presidential office, in an interview with Mark Feigin.

Among them, there are very famous personalities, says BBC News Ukraine. For example, Semyon Semenchenko. His name was recognized by the whole country back in 2014 as the commander of the Donbas volunteer battalion. Then this fame helped Semenchenko become a deputy of the Verkhovna Rada. And in 2021, he was convicted for creating an "illegal armed group" and for shelling the office of the 112 TV channel, which belonged to Viktor Medvedchuk, who has also been charged with crimes against our state today.

Semenchenko denies all accusations and claims that a year ago, on the instructions of the Main Intelligence Directorate, he was engaged in the preparation of partisan groups. And by the way, after the start of a full-scale invasion, military intelligence nevertheless applied to the court with a request to release the ex-commander of the Donbas. But he was released only on June 21 under house arrest. And to go to the front "to participate in the planning and implementing military operations," Semenchenko has to "take leave" from the court for 2-3 days. But even under the guarantees of military intelligence, he is not entirely "taken off the hook." Semenchenko considers this case political.

In short, they don’t judge me, but they don’t let me fight, you bastards - this is how he explains to BBC News Ukraine the current state of affairs.

By the way, the rest of the defendants in the "Donbas" case have long since joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.