De la prison à la ligne de front

Près de Kharkiv, dans l’Est de l’Ukraine, des détenus condamnés pour vol, fraude ou homicide, choisissent de partir dans les tranchées en échange de promesses de réhabilitation et d’un casier judiciaire effacé. ils rejoindront ensuite les unités d’assaut après six semaines d’un entraînement sommaire. Le danger y est omniprésent, et les pertes élevées.

Pour répondre à la pénurie croissante de recrues après des années de guerre contre la Russie, Kyiv a adopté au printemps 2024 la loi 3633‑IX. Elle autorise, entre autres mesures, certains détenus à s’engager volontairement dans l’armée. Des milliers d’entre eux ont ainsi troqué la tenue pénitentiaire pour l’uniforme militaire, mais seules une blessure grave ou la fin du conflit leur permettront de retourner à la vie civile.

La dernière issue, la mort, plane en permanence, sans jamais être nommée. Beaucoup préfèrent ainsi parler de devoir, de rachat et de dignité retrouvée. Tiraillés entre l’espoir et la peur, ces hommes acceptent de risquer leur vie pour leur pays et pour la possibilité d’un nouveau départ.

par David Taché - Reportage complet (texte et photos) sur demande

Ukraine David_1.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_2.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_3.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_4.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_5.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_6.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_7.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_8.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_9.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_10.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_11.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_12.jpg

Ukraine David_13.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_14.jpg

Ukraine David_15.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger

Ukraine David_16.jpg

In July 2025, near Kharkiv, Ukrainian convicts who chose military service over remaining in prison undergo a five-week training program before joining frontline assault groups. The volunteers, sentenced for crimes ranging from theft and fraud to manslaughter, are excluded if convicted of the most violent offenses such as rape or murder. Many describe enlistment as a chance to rebuild their lives and to feel part of something larger