The russian government has authorized the formation of assault units composed of convicts suffering from hepatitis B and C, designating them as Contingent C. This unprecedented decision, outlined in a recent order from Andrey Belousov (No. 610, dated October 10, 2024), specifically excludes hepatitis C from the list of conditions that disqualify individuals from military service.
The Kremlin’s move comes amid ongoing military operations in Ukraine, as russian leaders seek to bolster their ranks through unconventional means. The strategy allows for the recruitment of thousands of convicts who are currently incarcerated, particularly targeting those in prisons and detention centers. Reports indicate that approximately 10,000 inmates classified as hepatitis patients exist within the so-called Central Military District of the Armed Forces of russia, with around 15% reportedly expressing a willingness to join the fight.
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To facilitate this recruitment, a special procedure has been established, mandating that inmates receive a hepatitis B vaccination and undergo a course of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C before deployment. This initiative aims to form four assault companies and two reserve companies, which will be integrated into existing motorized rifle regiments. These newly created units, named B-C in reference to the hepatitis viruses, are slated for deployment in the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk.
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