32K Ex-Convicts Return to Russia After Fighting for Wagner Group in Ukraine

32,000 former prisoners recruited by the Wagner mercenary group have returned to Russia after fighting in Ukraine, according to the private military company’s founder Yevgeny Prigozhin. Wagner began recruiting prisoners in Russia's penal system last summer, offering convicts a pardon if they survived six months in Ukraine. Prigozhin boasted that less than 1% of all Wagner recruits have committed crimes after completing their contracts and being released. Private military companies like Wagner are illegal under Russian law.