Participation in SMO is way for convicted officials to avoid colony term

Convicted officials, in particular, the former district head in Rostov-on-Don, when going to the special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine, want not only to avoid a colony term, but also to show that they are useful to the country. At the same time, the contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is endless, until the end of hostilities or contractor's death, while the fate of the claims is unclear.

This September, Konstantin Tikhonov, a former head of the Leninsky District of Rostov-on-Don, was found guilty of abuse of office and property theft and sentenced to five years and four months of freedom deprivation. The court granted his request to be sent to the SMO zone; and he was conditionally released from punishment.

"This is mainly an attempt to avoid punishment, but at the same time wanting to somehow be useful to the Motherland; as they are, in most cases, patriots in the sense that they see this patriotism. Besides, for many, it is better to fight there than just stay in jail. This is the type of man. Yes, there is a chance to perish there, but they are better off at war than in prison," Bronislav Berkovich, a political analyst, believes.

Mr Berkovich has added that the departure of former officials who are under investigation or convicted is becoming a trend.

Ivan Chuvilyaev, the press secretary of the "Go to the Forest" Fund, doubts that officials are taking part in combat missions. "These are, rather, detachments that were mainly engaged in supplying humanitarian aid. I'll be very surprised if it turns out that some of the officials are actually fighting," he said.

As for the criminal cases against them, after signing a contract with the MoD, the responsibility is lifted, but only in words.