New York Times

Ukraine has been a hotbed of political, economic, and military tensions since the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, followed by the ongoing conflict in the Donbass region. Amid this backdrop, a lesser-known but equally disturbing issue has emerged in recent years – the plight of Russian prisoners in Ukrainian jails. In a bid to secure access to lifesaving drugs, some of these prisoners have reportedly resorted to joining the armed conflict in Ukraine, a move that has left many questioning the ethics of using medical treatment as a bargaining chip in the midst of a war. This article explores the complex and often tragic situation of Russian prisoners in Ukraine, shedding light on a little-discussed aspect of the ongoing conflict.


In Russian prisons, the inmates claimed that they received inadequate treatments for their HIV. On the other hand, while fighting in Ukraine, participating prisoners were given hope with the promise of antiretroviral medications. This offer worked for many Russian prisoners. According to Ukrainian authorities, around 20% of the Russian prisoners that were recruited into the front lines were HIV positive. The prisoners had chosen serving on the front lines as it seemed to be less risky than staying in prison. These detainees revealed their situation in an interview with The New York Times.

One of the prisoners, Timur, 37, an HIV-positive soldier, shared that the conditions in the Russian prison were very harsh, and the doctors changed his antiviral medication to types that he was afraid would not work effectively against HIV. After being sentenced to 10 years for drug dealing, Timur was offered six months’ service in the Wagner mercenary group in exchange for a pardon and sufficient supplies of antiviral medications. He said that he understood that his options were limited and he would either die quickly or slowly. Choosing between poor HIV treatment in prison and participating in assaults in Russia’s war in Ukraine was a difficult decision for Timur.

Although Timur had no military experience, he was given two weeks of training before deployment. He joined other former prisoners who have made up the bulk of the forces in Russia’s attack on Bakhmut, one of the bloodiest and longest-running battles in the war. Inmates were promised pardons for going into combat, and since last summer, many have started to take up this offer.

Indeed, the situation of these prisoners is quite dire. Apart from the poor conditions in the Russian prisons, prisoners with HIV are not given the necessary treatment, which would further compromise their health. The fact that they had to choose between poor medical attention and serving in the front lines of a war is heartbreaking. Hopefully, conversations around the treatment of prisoners in Russia would begin, and necessary steps would be taken to proffer solutions to these issues.


The situation in Ukraine is complicated and fraught with tension. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has resulted in numerous casualties and human rights violations. One of the lesser-known consequences is the plight of Russian prisoners who find themselves in Ukrainian prisons without access to the medications they need to survive. This situation has led some prisoners to choose to fight in the war as a way to get access to lifesaving drugs. It is a sad and disturbing reality that reflects the complex and heartbreaking nature of this ongoing conflict. As we look towards the future, it is essential that we work towards finding peaceful solutions that can help end the suffering of all those affected by this conflict, including prisoners who find themselves caught in the crossfire. Let us hope that the international community can work together to find a way to bring peace to this troubled region.