Battalion “Alcatraz” – How Former Prisoners Prepare for the Frontline
The "Alcatraz" battalion, operating within the 93rd Mechanized Brigade "Kholodny Yar", is composed of former inmates who have chosen to enlist in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Each of these men has a unique past, shaped by the criminal charges they once faced. Some served just a few months behind bars, while others spent a significant portion of their lives in prison. Now, they are undergoing intensive training as assault troops, preparing for imminent deployment to the battlefield.
The recruitment of former prisoners into the battalion began in July 2024. By August, these soldiers were already successfully carrying out combat missions in the Pokrovsk direction. Today, the battalion numbers over 250 contract soldiers, all of whom have been released from serving their sentences.
Unlike conventional military training, the “Alcatraz” command has opted out of sending new recruits to basic training centers. Instead, their preparation is led by experienced instructors with direct combat experience, ensuring that training aligns with the rapidly evolving tactics of modern warfare—especially given the widespread use of droneson the battlefield.
Training starts at 9 AM sharp. Today’s program includes tactical medicine and “hide-and-seek” drills—exercises designed to teach soldiers how to move undetected through forests and evade enemy drones.
“Why the callsign Kaban [boar in Ukrainian – ed.]? Because I always push forward, no matter what,” explains one of the soldiers before training begins.
His face bears two tattoos—a brass knuckle and a cross, inked while he was in prison.
New recruits make frequent mistakes—applying tourniquets too slowly or failing to tighten them properly. To reinforce discipline, they are punished with 10 push-ups for each incorrect application.
“You have to learn fast. And more importantly, you need the guy next to you to know it just as well,” one soldier says after the session.
One soldier, callsign “Mizer”, earned his nickname due to his short stature. Previously convicted of theft, he was sentenced to four years in prison, though he served only one and a half. Now, he is training to become an assault trooper. When asked about how commanders and other military personnel perceive the “Alcatraz” battalion, he responds:
“Here, you feel respect. In prison, it’s a completely different world.”
While one group studies tactical medicine, another focuses on camouflage techniques and stealth movement to avoid drone detection. Soldiers also train to shoot down enemy drones, practicing on wooden targets suspended by quadcopters on ropes to simulate aerial threats.
“I see it! I see it! Everyone, stay down!” – shouts a soldier as he spots a drone overhead.
The group immediately freezes in place, and the drone fails to detect them, eventually drifting away.
At noon, instructors call for a break, allowing the soldiers time to eat. They gather in small groups under the trees for lunch.
By the time Frontliner journalists prepare to leave the makeshift training ground in the forests of the Donetsk region, the battalion continues its drills. Training will last until evening—they have a lot to master before heading into battle.
These soldiers will soon join the fight, reinforcing other units of the 93rd Brigade, which is currently engaged in combat in Pokrovsk, Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, and other active frontlines along the 1,500-kilometer stretch of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Photos: Andriy Dubchak
Text: Andriy Dubchak & Viktoriia Kalimbet
