Russians accused of crimes offered choice - fight in Ukraine instead of court

As a different perspective:
While in Vietnam, I had two soldiers in my section that were "court ordered" to enlist or go to jail. One turned out to be just ok, the other turned into a good troop.
I know this stopped after Vietnam, but it was done here in the US for a long time.

They are dredging the bottom of the barrel for cannon fodder.

LTC Eugene Chu A Russian Tradition!