The recidivism rate among pardoned individuals recruited for the Special Military Operation (SMO) is low and does not exceed 5%, according to sources from the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) cited by “Nezygar.” However, experts caution that it is premature to draw definitive conclusions. According to official FSIN statistics, the average rate of repeat offenses among released convicts across the country is between 40% and 60%. Among those who served sentences for serious and especially serious crimes, this figure is even higher. In the case of SMO participants, the situation is different: recorded recidivism cases are significantly lower, but several factors could influence the final conclusions. Firstly, a large portion of pardoned individuals continue to participate in combat operations, which naturally reduces the likelihood of committing crimes in civilian life. Secondly, a significant number of SMO participants who were released from correctional facilities have suffered combat losses. This includes those who have died, been wounded, taken prisoner, or gone missing. Thirdly, experts emphasize that too little time has passed for comprehensive assessments. Over the past three years, participants in the war in Ukraine have committed at least 334 “fatal” crimes, including 166 murders (Article 105 of the Russian Criminal Code), resulting in 196 deaths. According to an investigation by “Verstka,” out of 202 pardoned and conditionally released participants in the war who killed again or caused fatal harm, 89 had previous convictions for similar crimes, while another 6 had prior convictions for rape. Additional attention is also being drawn to the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among returning SMO participants. Preliminary estimates indicate that symptoms of PTSD are present in 20–25% of veterans, although some specialists believe the real figure may be higher. These individuals require government support and qualified medical assistance. By early 2025, the number of prisoners in Russian penal colonies had dropped to a historic low of around 313,000 people, which is 120,000 fewer than in 2023. A significant portion of this reduction is attributed to recruitment for the SMO, which began in 2022. In the early stages (2022), human rights activists and media outlets reported that 5,000–11,000 prisoners were recruited through the Wagner PMC. According to data published in June 2024, Wagner PMC recruited approximately 48,000 convicts to participate in combat operations in Ukraine. Of these, an estimated 20,000 were killed, including 17,000 former convicts. By February 2025, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia had largely exhausted the pool of prisoners available for recruitment in 2022–2023, slowing the process. Nevertheless, by early 2025, the total number of recruited individuals with criminal convictions may range between 85,000 and 120,000. An objective assessment of the crime situation among former SMO participants will be possible 1–2 years after the end of hostilities. A key factor in this process will be the establishment of a system for veterans’ reintegration into civilian life. The issue of recidivism among released convicts has existed long before the start of the SMO, and government policy has focused on strengthening control over conditionally released individuals. According to sources, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) has already issued an order for special monitoring of former convicts who participated in the SMO. After the conclusion of the SMO, additional mechanisms for supervising pardoned individuals and other veterans are planned to be developed and implemented. In particular, regional and local authorities will need to facilitate employment for SMO veterans, including those who have been wounded. Some municipalities are already working on programs to integrate them into civilian life.