From prison to the frontline: Russia's controversial soldiers

Dmitry Malyshev, sentenced to 25 years in prison, is a figure whose crimes shocked society and deserved the highest level of condemnation. In the penal colony, he served a sentence for a series of crimes. These included murders, illegal arms and ammunition trading, preparing to murder police officers, and robbery.

Ten years ago, he killed his friend, a Tajik, and then used his heart to prepare a macabre dish. What's even more horrifying is that this terrible act was captured on video. This is Malyshev's comment on his brutality: "We are cooking human flesh. Here's the heart. I've already added onion".

Malyshev signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence in October 2023. He went to war as part of the "Storm V" battalion. He was wounded twice.

When speaking with a journalist from the Volgograd edition of V1, the former convict was in a hospital. He then revealed why he wanted to participate in the Russian assault on Ukraine.

"How would you feel if your little daughter was told in elementary school how to put on a condom? Or men walking down the street and licking each other? Is that normal for you? It's not normal for me," that's Malyshev's explanation for why he went to war.

Aleksandr Maslennikov also left prison and went to the front. He was sentenced for double murder and dismembering girls he met in a nightclub.

Malyshev published a joint photo on social media. Together with Maslennikov, they are smiling, sitting closely together.

In the years 2022-2023, criminals serving sentences in prisons were recruited for the war. Instead of remaining in cells, they participated in the Russian aggression against Ukraine. In exchange for participation in combat, they were promised freedom - pardon decrees were signed by Putin. Currently, prisoners sent to the front since September 2023 cannot apply for a pardon.