The Russian president Vladimir Putin cynically stated that convicts recruited from prisons and killed at the front in Ukraine they “paid off” their debt to society.

“They were killed. We are all human, everyone can make mistakes, and they did. They gave their lives for their country and paid off as much of their debt to society as possible,” Putin said as he welcomed to the Kremlin Russian soldiers who, according to Moscow, had distinguished themselves in fighting in Ukraine. “We will do everything in our power to help their relatives,” he added.

Before his talks with soldiers, a meeting broadcast on Russian public television, Putin observed “a minute’s silence in memory” of former prisoners who died in a battle near Urozaine, on the southern front in Ukraine, and whose funeral took place today.

The Russian president said Russian soldiers there, who the Defense Ministry said had repelled a Ukrainian attack, were “iconic example of courage and heroism”.

Tens of thousands of prisoners were recruited from Russian prisons to fight in Ukraine, in exchange for the promise of their release, after the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Recruiting was done mainly by the Wagner paramilitary organization, but also by the regular Russian army.

The convicts fought mainly at Bahamut, in the bloodiest battle of the war. After reintegrating into society some of the former prisoners committed new crimes, according to Russian media.

The first anniversary of the annexation of four Ukrainian provinces today, Friday, Russia celebrates with a concert in Moscow’s Red Square.

Although Russian forces do not fully control any of the provinces of Kherson, Zaporizhia, Donetsk and Luhansk – and have indeed been forced to leave some of the territories of these provinces because of the Ukrainian counterattack– Moscow continues to seek to fully grasp them.

Vladimir Putin declared these Ukrainian provinces new Russian territories a year ago, following referendums not recognized under international law, including annexing them to the Russian constitution.

The concert, which will feature Russian stars – including Dima Bilan and Sergey Lazarev – is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. local time and Greek time.

Putin has preached on Saturday September 30 official public holiday marking “Unification Day” with Russia.