Convicted Murderer’s Release to Fight in Ukraine Raises Alarm Over Russia’s Prisoner Recruitment
Staff Editor Russian Convict Released Twice to Fight in Ukraine Despite Two Murder Convictions
A Russian man convicted of murder and released to fight in Ukraine has been freed a second time after committing another murder upon his return, according to reports and a legal rights group.
Ivan Rossomakhin, 29, was initially sentenced to 14 years in a maximum security penal colony in September 2020 for murder and violent robbery. Court records show he killed a woman in Kirov in October 2019 during a drunken altercation.
In September 2022, Rossomakhin was recruited by the Wagner mercenary group to fight in Ukraine. Upon his return to Kirov, he allegedly invaded the home of an 85-year-old woman, murdering and raping her with a bladed weapon in March 2023.
For this second murder, Rossomakhin received a new sentence of 23 years. However, on August 19, he was released again after being recruited by the Russian Defense Ministry, according to documents circulated by independent Russian media.
The legal rights group Travmpunkt, representing the family of the second victim, confirmed that prison officials informed them of Rossomakhin’s release. He had served less than six months of his 23-year sentence before being sent back to Ukraine.
Anna Pekareva, granddaughter of the second victim, expressed terror at the news, fearing potential retaliation from Rossomakhin. “It’s monstrous that he has been released again,” she told the BBC.
This case highlights Russia’s controversial practice of recruiting prisoners for the war effort. The Russian Defense Ministry took over this recruitment drive from the Wagner Group in early 2023, with an estimated 10,000 prisoners signing up in April alone.
As both Russia and Ukraine struggle to maintain manpower on the front lines, such recruitment practices have become increasingly common. However, Ukraine reportedly does not accept prisoners convicted of rape or multiple murders.
The Kremlin and Russian Ministry of Defense have not yet responded to requests for comment on this matter.
