The murderer of a Russian lady was freed to fight in Ukraine a second time

A Russian man who was initially released from prison to fight in Ukraine and later committed another murder has been allowed to return to the front lines, according to the victim's relatives.

Anna Pekareva, the granddaughter of the victim Yulia Byuskikh, expressed her frustration, stating, “Grandma’s killer has escaped punishment for his crime – again – and has gone to fight in the war.”

In 2022, Ivan Rossomakhin, who was serving a 14-year sentence for murder, was released from prison to join the Wagner mercenary group fighting in Ukraine.

After his service, he was permitted to return to his home in Vyatskiye Polyany, Kirov Region, Russia. While there, he attacked and killed 85-year-old Yulia Byuskikh in her home.

Ivan Rossomakhin, the convicted murderer of 85-year-old Yulia Byuskikh, was found guilty of her rape and murder in April and initially sentenced to 22 years in a high-security prison, a term later increased to 23 years due to the "extreme brutality" of the crime.

Despite the severity of his sentence, Anna Pekareva, Yulia’s granddaughter, reported that Rossomakhin was released on August 19, just one week after his sentencing.

Anna expressed her shock and outrage, stating, “My first reaction was terror. I read the forensic reports and I know what this person did to my grandmother. It’s monstrous that he has been released again.”

She added, “The fact that this is happening in the 21st Century... there are no words that can describe what’s happening!”

An official document obtained by the BBC, signed by the prison governor, confirms that Rossomakhin’s release was authorized under a Russian law permitting the recruitment of convicts for military service.

This case is part of a broader pattern of criminals being released from Russian prisons to join the Wagner mercenary group and subsequently committing additional crimes.

Ivan Rossomakhin’s release from prison to fight in Ukraine marks the second time he has been let out to serve on the front lines. Initially, he was part of a broader strategy employed by Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner Group, which began recruiting convicts from Russian prisons at the outset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The promise of an official pardon from President Vladimir Putin was used to entice inmates to enlist.

Thousands of criminals, including those convicted of serious offenses like rape and murder, were released and sent to the front, with many losing their lives in the brutal conflict, particularly in cities like Bakhmut.

Following Prigozhin’s failed mutiny last year, the responsibility for recruiting convicts shifted to the Russian military. This practice was formalized in a federal law in March, which allows convicted criminals who enlist to have their remaining sentences suspended for the duration of their military service.

In some cases, they may even receive a pardon if they are awarded for acts of bravery on the battlefield.

Anna Pekareva, the granddaughter of Yulia Byuskikh, expressed deep concern and fear over Rossomakhin’s release. She believes that it indicates a dire shortage of manpower in the Russian military.

“The authorities don’t give a damn about peaceful civilians if they allow people who have committed serious crimes to be exonerated and let out of prison,” Anna said. She fears for her family’s safety, noting that Rossomakhin’s release puts them in extreme danger, and is considering leaving the country while other family members go into hiding.

The UK Ministry of Defence has reported significant Russian casualties in the ongoing conflict, estimating up to 70,000 losses over a two-month period, which amounts to roughly 1,000 per day.

To bolster their numbers, recruitment drives have been intensified, with some recruits offered substantial financial incentives, including up to 1.5 million roubles (approximately £12,360).

This desperate measure reflects the Russian military’s critical need for more personnel, highlighting the extreme lengths to which the Kremlin is willing to go to sustain its war efforts in Ukraine.