Following the shootout at the Wildberries headquarters in Moscow, several men involved are now seeking to join the Russian military and fight in Ukraine, as reported by Kommersant. The incident resulted in the death of two security guards and injuries to several others.
Law enforcement officials have held discussions with nearly thirty defendants about the possibility of joining the military to seek exemption from criminal liability. The charges against them include murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal arms trafficking, with some facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.
In March, President Putin signed a law permitting accused individuals to join the military and potentially have their criminal records expunged. This offer, however, does not extend to those involved in serious felonies like treason or terrorism.
Defendants not holding Russian citizenship could potentially gain citizenship by signing military contracts and completing their service. Meanwhile, Vladislav Bakalchuk, a key figure in the shootout, faces multiple criminal charges, including murder and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.