Zelensky signs law granting full rights to Ukraine’s former convict soldiers

What happened

The Kyiv Independent reports that President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a new law granting former convict soldiers fighting for Ukraine full military rights equal to other service members. These rights include 15 days annual leave, access to medical care after injury, and the option to transfer between units after one year or sooner for health reasons.

Since May 2024, Ukrainian prisoners have been permitted to volunteer to fight in exchange for amnesty after martial law ends, following prior legislation signed by Zelensky. This policy aimed to alleviate Ukraine’s critical manpower shortage, especially in infantry roles, by opening recruitment to part of the prison population. However, the legal status and rights of these former prisoner soldiers have remained unclear until now.

The new law also extends maternity and childcare leave rights to female members with a prison background. The Ministry of Defense stated that the law eliminates prior injustices faced by these service members, many of whom endure some of the army’s most demanding front-line positions. Deputy Defense Minister Liubov Halan emphasized the importance of protecting those who have demonstrated loyalty in combat.

Known from the source

• President Zelensky signed a law granting full military rights to former convict soldiers on August 4, 2026.
• The law includes 15 days of annual leave, proper medical care post-injury, and the ability to transfer units after one year or earlier for health reasons.
• Female former prisoners in service are granted maternity and childcare leave rights.
• Since May 2024, former prisoners have been allowed to volunteer to fight in the Ukrainian military in exchange for amnesty after martial law.
• Prisoners convicted of serious crimes like murder and rape are excluded from volunteering.

What remains unclear

Exclusions remain for prisoners serving sentences for serious crimes such as murder and rape, who are ineligible for volunteer service. The Ministry expects the clear legal framework to improve recruitment from the prison system overall and motivate those already serving.

What remains unclear: Obtain official text or government confirmation of the new law’s provisions. Verify statements from the Ministry of Defense, especially Deputy Defense Minister Liubov Halan’s quoted remarks. Confirm any administrative or procedural rules regarding the law’s implementation and effective date. Ensure all quotes are accurate and sourced correctly from the Kyiv Independent or official statements.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: Kyiv Independent. Open the source.