Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder behind the private security group known as Wagner, stated that following the expiration of contracts and the completion of work in the special operations zone, more than 5,000 former prisoners received pardons. This claim was reported by a representative connected to the Russian entrepreneur. [Source: TASS]
Prigozhin added that the current contract with PMC Wagner has ended and that pardons exceeded five thousand. [Source: TASS]
He noted that only 0.31 percent of those pardoned have committed a second offense within a month, a figure he described as significantly lower than historical rates recorded prior to the military operation. [Source: PMC Wagner spokesperson]
According to Prigozhin, the rate of recidivism is ten to twenty times lower than standard benchmarks before the intervention began. He argued that the reduction in crime within the Russian Federation owes much to the involvement of PMCs and ex-prisoners in the special operation. [Source: PMC Wagner spokesperson]
The Russian armed forces continue their special operation in Ukraine, a conflict initiated by President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022. The stated goals include demilitarizing Ukraine and assisting a political transition in its government. [Attribution: Government statements and public briefings]
The decision to launch this operation led to new sanctions imposed by the United States and allied countries. [Attribution: Government and economic policy announcements]
The ongoing situation and related developments continue to be monitored as the broader geopolitical context evolves. [Citation: Public briefings and analyses]