A court released a prisoner from the Mykolaiv region to fight in place of serving his prison sentence

A court in Mykolaiv Oblast granted a convicted man conditional early release from a correctional facility so that he could enlist in the military under a contract.

This is stated in a ruling by the Arbuzinsky District Court dated July 7.

The man was sentenced by the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi City and District Court of the Odesa Region on January 7, 2026, to five years of imprisonment for illegal possession of weapons and theft.

He has been serving his sentence at the State Institution “South Ukrainian Correctional Colony (No. 83)” since May 20, 2026.

The convict himself approached the colony administration with a request to serve in the military under a contract. In court, he confirmed that he had made this decision voluntarily, without external pressure, and that he understood all the consequences of such a release.

The prison administration arranged a medical examination for him. Based on the examination results and the conclusion of the military medical commission, the man was deemed healthy and fit for military service. Psychological screening also confirmed that he was recommended for contract service.

The commander of one of the military units gave written consent to accept the convicted man into service. After that, the man was registered for military service.

The court determined that all legal conditions for applying Article 81-1 of the Criminal Code had been met: martial law and mobilization are in effect in Ukraine; the convicted man expressed a voluntary desire to serve; he meets the requirements for contract service; and the crime he committed is not included in the list of offenses that preclude such a release.

In accordance with the ruling, the man was released from the remaining portion of his sentence—3 years, 10 months, and 20 days of imprisonment. No later than 24 hours after the ruling takes legal effect, he must report, accompanied by the National Guard, to the Territorial Recruitment Center and the Military Enlistment Office to sign a contract.

The court also placed the man under administrative supervision for a period of 24 months. He is prohibited from staying outside the military unit’s base and from leaving its boundaries for personal matters without the commander’s permission.

The court warned the defendant that if he evades enlistment in military service following his release, this could result in criminal liability.

Ірина Глухова