Russian militant and former leader of the illegal armed group "DPR" Igor Girkin may volunteer for Russia's war against Ukraine

Moscow, Russia (Svidomi) — Russian militant Igor Girkin (Strelkov) may be released from prison to volunteer for Russia's war against Ukraine, his lawyer tells Russian media outlet Ekho (formerly Ekho Moskvy).

According to the lawyer, Girkin has repeatedly stated that he wants to volunteer for the frontline. An appeal and cassation against the court's decision are ahead.

Girkin's defence lawyer hopes that "common sense will prevail and the military man will be given the opportunity to act as he considers necessary".

"There is always a possibility to get parole (conditional release). There is always a possibility to ask to go to the front," the militant's lawyer added. 

Igor Girkin (Strelkov) is a Russian military officer, former colonel of the Federal Security Service and former leader of the pro-Russian terrorist military group People's Militia of Donbas. He was the so-called 'minister of defence' of the illegal military formation 'DPR'. In the spring and summer of 2014, he took part in the occupation of the Ukrainian town of Sloviansk, Donetsk region (the Ukrainian military de-occupied it in the summer of 2014. Today, the town is under the control of Ukraine and is a frontline zone — ed.)

It will be recalled that a court in Moscow sentenced a militant, former leader of the illegal armed group "DPR" Igor Girkin, to four years in prison for "calls for extremism."