VLAD FORCES LAGS TO FIGHT FOR ARMY

Brutal punishments for refusal

- CHRIS HUGHES

THOUSANDS of Russian convicts are being press-ganged to fight in Ukraine with threats of longer sentences, crippling beatings or even worse if they refuse.

Russia's prison colony population fell 23,000 in just two months as Moscow desperately tries to fill huge gaps in its regular assault troops on the front line.

Lags were previously offered freedom deals if they joined the invasion, but the notorious Wagner Group of mercenaries, founded by ex-special forces colonel Dmitry Utkin, has switched to more brutal recruitment tactics.

Those refusing to fight have been left unable to walk or have disappeared, while those recruited are likely to die very soon after joining the front line as poorly trained, ill-equipped soldiers.