The Russian Army’s Use of Prisoners in Ukraine, A Disturbing Trend

By Shola Adebowale

The recent capture of a Nigerian, Kehinde Oluwagbemileke, by Ukrainian forces while fighting for the Russian military has brought attention to Russia’s use of prisoners in its war in Ukraine. Oluwagbemileke was recruited by the Russian military in exchange for a reduced sentence for drug-related charges and had been serving with Russian forces for five months in the Zaporizhzhia region.

In other words, Kehinde Oluwagbemileke, a 29-year-old Nigerian, fighting for the Russian military in the Zaporizhzhia region, was doing so against his will. Before his capture, Oluwagbemileke had been living in Russia for four years, working as a translator for individuals who cannot speak Russian, including people from South America, Africa, and China. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he was arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to prison under Article 228 of the Russian Criminal Code.

To avoid serving his full prison sentence, Oluwagbemileke who has no military background, training or experience readily accepted a deal offered by the Russian military, agreeing to join their campaign in Ukraine in exchange for a reduced sentence. This practice is part of Russia’s notorious strategy to recruit prisoners and vulnerable migrants as expendable manpower in its invasion of Ukraine. Oluwagbemileke has served with Russian forces for five months before being captured by the Freedom of Russia Legion, a Ukrainian-based paramilitary unit composed of Russian citizens who oppose the Russian regime of Vladimir Putin and its invasion of Ukraine. Formed in March 2022, the legion is reportedly part of Ukraine’s International Legion and consists of defectors from the Russian Armed Forces and other Russian volunteers.

During his interrogation, Oluwagbemileke expressed deep regret for joining the war, stating that his family in Nigeria was unaware of his involvement. He sustained injuries during the conflict, and his unit suffered heavy casualties, with one member dying and three others, including himself, being wounded. Despite his circumstances, Oluwagbemileke thanked the Freedom of Russia Legion for saving his life and providing medical care.

Indeed, Oluwagbemileke’s story highlights the complex and often desperate choices individuals make when faced with challenging circumstances. His capture is not an isolated incident, as reports indicate that between 140,000 to 180,000 convicts have been recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine, with nearly 7,000 foreign fighters from 14 countries documented by Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project ,a war time Ukrainian initiative that provides a 24-hour hotline for Russian servicemen and their families to receive appeals and facilitate safe surrender to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Operated by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine, the project’s primary goal is to help Russian soldiers who don’t want to participate in the invasion of Ukraine to surrender safely.

The recruitment of prisoners is not limited to specific nationalities, with both Russian and foreign nationals being involved. The Wagner Group, a private military contractor funded by the Russian government, has recruited prisoners from correctional facilities in Russia and Ukraine’s Donetsk region, offering pardons for their criminal sentences in exchange for participating in the war. This practice raises serious concerns about human rights violations and potential war. Additionally, reports have emerged of Chinese nationals, including Wang Wu, Wang Guangjung, and Zhang Renbo, fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine. These individuals claim they were lured by false promises of well-paying jobs and had little or no combat training before being deployed on the frontlines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that Russia is making systematic efforts to recruit Chinese citizens for the war, with some estimates suggesting that up to several hundred Chinese nationals may be fighting for Russia.

However, the use of prisoners in combat has raised concerns about human rights violations and potential war crimes. Many prisoners have reportedly been used as “cannon fodder,” leading attacks and taking heavy casualties. Some have also been subjected to ill-treatment and execution for attempting to escape or disobey orders. The United Nations has expressed alarm over these practices, highlighting the obligation of states to protect detainees from violence, exploitation, and intimidation.

Historically, the use of prisoners in combat by Russian army is not a new phenomenon. During World War II, the Soviet Union utilized prisoners, including hardened criminals, to fight against Nazi Germany. These prisoners were often deployed on the front lines, where they fought in various battles, including those in Romania, Poland, and Germany. The Gulag fighters, as they were known, were notorious for their ferocity and brutality in combat.

According to historical accounts, the Gulag fighters were responsible for numerous atrocities, including massacres, rapes, and pillaging. One notable example is the Nemmersdorf massacre, where Soviet soldiers, reportedly including former Gulag prisoners, killed between 26 and 71 German civilians in the town of Nemmersdorf. The brutality exhibited by the Gulag fighters was not limited to enemy civilians; they also committed atrocities against their own soldiers and prisoners of war.

The trauma inflicted by Soviet soldiers during World War II is still remembered today, particularly the experience of Hannelore Kohl, the wife of German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. At the age of 12, she was repeatedly raped by multiple Soviet soldiers and thrown out of a window, resulting in a fractured vertebra and lifelong back pain. Mrs. Kohl recalls how she was “dumped like a sack of cement” out of a first-floor window by the Russians, suffering damage to her back from which she would never recover. The psychological scars were worse; she would later write that the “smell of male sweat, garlic, and alcohol, and even the sound of spoken Russian” haunted her permanently. Toward the end of her life, she could only leave the house by night. She took an overdose aged 68, explaining in letters to loved ones that her incurable illness had become intolerable.

It is worthy of note that the use of prisoners in combat is a violation of international humanitarian law. The Geneva Conventions, which regulate the conduct of war and the treatment of prisoners of war, prohibit the use of prisoners in combat. Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention states that prisoners of war must be treated humanely and protected from violence, intimidation, and coercion.

The use of prisoners in war zones is inherently unethical. Prisoners are often coerced into fighting against their will, and those who refuse are subjected to punishment, including execution. This practice is a clear violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Geneva Conventions and other international humanitarian law instruments emphasize the importance of protecting human life and dignity, even in the midst of conflict.

Furthermore, the use of prisoners in combat undermines the principles of distinction and proportionality, which are fundamental to international humanitarian law. Prisoners are often used as “cannon fodder,” leading attacks and taking heavy casualties. This practice puts civilians and other non-combatants at risk of harm and undermines the rule of law in armed conflict.

It also raises concerns about the lack of accountability and oversight. Prisoners are often deployed in situations where they are not properly trained or equipped, leading to increased risk of harm to themselves and others. This lack of accountability and oversight can lead to further human rights violations and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.

Furthermore, the use of prisoners in combat is prohibited by various international laws and conventions, including: The Geneva Conventions (1949): Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention protects prisoners of war from violence, intimidation, and coercion.

Additionally ,Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (1977): Article 51 prohibits the use of civilians and prisoners of war in combat.

While, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998): Article 8 defines the use of prisoners of war in combat as a war crime.

Undoubtedly, the Russian army’s use of prisoners in Ukraine is a disturbing trend that raises serious concerns about human rights violations and potential war crimes. The practice of recruiting prisoners to fight in war zones is inherently unethical and undermines the principles of distinction and proportionality. The international community must take note of these horrible practices . The use of prisoners in combat is a clear violation of international humanitarian law, and it is essential to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.

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