Russia proposes letting people accused or convicted of gang activity, nuclear materials theft, and state-secrets offenses enlist in the military

Russia's government has submitted legislation that would allow people convicted or accused of certain crimes to enlist in the military during wartime or mobilization. Meduza reports the bill would remove restrictions on military service for those with convictions in gang activity, organized crime, drug smuggling, nuclear materials theft, smuggling offenses, and state secrets violations. The stated goal is to expand the recruitment pool. Russian law already permits most criminals to sign military contracts; this bill removes additional crime categories from the disqualification list.

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