„Für meine Kinder werde ich keine Sträflingsmutter sein, sondern eine Soldatenmutter“, sagt Natalia, eine ehemalige Insassin, die sich engagiert hat, um ihr Leben zu verändern

Natalia was incarcerated for two years. She was convicted under Article 185 – theft. Under martial law, sentences are harsher, and Natalia received five years. Her time in prison became a turning point – she felt she had hit rock bottom and was convinced that, because of her criminal past, she would have no future.

>“For me, the mobilization of convicted individuals is a step toward a new life. I am ready to devote myself fully to this cause,“ Natalia says.

She waited for the recruiters every day and kept pressing the administration about her interest. Her decision to join the military was not spontaneous – she had thought about it for many nights, Natalia says. When the 1st Assault Regiment arrived at the facility, she went to the interview and insisted that she was determined to turn her life around. “Jazz”, however, did not believe her.

>“Please think about it. One day we’ll sit at the table, and you’ll see that it was not a mistake,” Natalia assured him. “We need to think it over,” “Yozh” replied.

Soon, Natalia learned of the decision. After two unsuccessful interviews with other units, she was accepted into the military. She had no idea where she was going; inmates are cut off from the outside world and have a limited understanding of the war. She knew nothing about the “Shkval” battalion she was being mobilized into. Yet one thought gave her comfort:

>“For my children, I will not be a convict mom, but a soldier mom,“ Natalia says.

She believes that prison was only a phase, not something that defines her whole life. Now she can build a different future.

More photos and full story: :

[https://frontliner.ua/en/a-step-toward-a-new-life-women-from-prison-join-the-war-effort/](https://frontliner.ua/en/a-step-toward-a-new-life-women-from-prison-join-the-war-effort/)

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