Russia Resorts to Recruiting Cannibal From Prison Amid Heavy Losses—Report

Russian forces have recruited a cannibal, among other prisoners, to fight in Ukraine amid losses, according to reports.

The news comes as Ukraine's forces liberated formerly Russian-held territories in a counterattack over recent weeks. Ukraine has also spoken of its victories and the alleged losses it forced Russia to take in the counteroffensive.

According to a report by The Insider, human rights activist Olga Romanova, head of the Russia Behind Bars foundation spoke about Russia's recruitment habits.

Speaking to YouTube Channel "Popular Politics" in a video that was posted on Wednesday, she spoke specifically about the Russian paramilitary organization Wagner Group.

She said the co-owner of the paramilitary organization, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has already recruited an estimated 10,000 prisoners.

"All kinds of criminals are accepted, but preference is given to murderers, robbers and looters, as Prigozhin himself said," she said.

"Those who went to prison for causing grievous bodily harm are also welcomed.

"And now they've started recruiting people who were convicted for rape, but they're to serve in a separate unit.

"We know two stores from the Saratov colonies, absolutely horrid places, there is a very special one among them.

"They recruited a maniac from there who had, so to speak, cannibalism in his portfolio. He also went to war."

Newsweek has not been able to independently verify these claims. Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been contacted for comment.

Romanova also gave details regarding where the forces were getting their recruits, stating they have been limited to Central Russia regions.

"The northernmost part is Komi, Syktyvkar, the southernmost is Adygea, the easternmost is Tatarstan, the westernmost is the Pskov and Smolensk regions. For some reason, they do not go eastwards beyond Tatarsta," she said.

She added that prisoners are not joining the military effort for the money but rather to escape Russian prisons.

"It's the relatives who want the money, and the prisoners want to get out of the matrix, to become free, to go wherever they're sent, because any place on earth is better than a Russian prison."

Official Ukrainian forces have also made claims about Russia's current recruitment efforts.

Last week, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's Facebook page said Russia was continuing with "forced mobilization" for areas it occupied in Ukraine.

"In Donetsk, the Russian invaders found a 'new source' of replenishment of losses in manpower," the update read.

"So, recently, representatives of the Russian occupation army began to arrive at local hospitals in the city and forcefully 'discharge' patients.

"Men of military age with various diseases or injuries, including those wounded during hostilities who are undergoing treatment, fall under such an extract."

Newsweek was unable to verify these claims and has requested comment from Russia's Foreign Ministry for clarification.