Russia has long recruited prisoners to fight in Ukraine, but BBC analysis has revealed how the initial focus on convicted criminals has shifted to include people yet to face trial.
The latest laws mean that both prosecution and defence lawyers are now legally obliged to inform people who are charged with most crimes that they have the option to go to war instead of court.
The legislation, passed in March 2024, means that if they sign up, the prosecution and any investigation will be stopped. Their cases will generally be closed completely at the end of the war.
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