Source link : https://london-news.net/from-prison-to-proxy-warfare-a-former-wagner-mercenarys-journey-through-ukraines-military-trenches/
Alexander Platov was incarcerated for the murder of his wife when an unexpected chance came his way. In 2022, he was recruited by the Wagner mercenary group to participate in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in exchange for a pardon. Half a year later, he regained his freedom.
However, struggling to adapt to life outside prison, Platov re-signed a contract with the Defense Ministry and returned to the battlefield by late 2024. This time, though, he and other former inmates were regarded as expendable.
After enduring a suicide attack and suffering serious injuries from shrapnel, Platov shared his experience with The Moscow Times.
While The Moscow Times was unable to independently verify every detail of Platov’s story, reports from exiled media and various Russian and Ukrainian sources support several aspects of his account.
The Defense Ministry did not respond promptly to The Moscow Times’ request for commentary.
“Life outside was tough. I’m a f***ing convict; everyone knew I had been incarcerated multiple times. Plus, I have a reputation for enjoying a drink. I thought I would be hailed as a hero after fighting in Ukraine, but they treated me like trash,” Platov, 35, recounted.
Platov was born in the late 1980s into a struggling family in Ulyanovsk, a city along the Volga River, and first encountered the law at the age of 17.
“I was imprisoned for car theft. Eight years. After that, I married, but she betrayed me. I ended up stabbing her, receiving thirteen more…
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Author : rimmaruslan98@gmail.com
Publish date : 2025-06-21 16:35:00
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