Prigozhin said that the first group of former prisoners completed the contract in the NVO zone

The first group of former prisoners involved in a special operation in Ukraine completed a six-month contract and received a pardon, transmits “RIA Novosti” with reference to the head of PMC “Wagner” Yevgeny Prigozhin.

“They have completed their contract. They worked with honor, with dignity. First. They worked in a way that few people work in this world, ”he said. Prigogine pointed out that the first group of those pardoned included two dozen former prisoners. During the service, they received a salary, although less than the rest of the volunteers.

According to him, among the former prisoners there were many who ended up behind bars by accident or by virtue of character – they could not find themselves in a peaceful life and therefore got into trouble. Society gave these people a chance and should be grateful to them for fighting for national interests, the head of the PMC stressed.

At the end of September last year, Prigozhin admitted that in 2014 he created a group, which later became known as Wagner PMC. After that, in early November, he confirmed that his military company was setting up militia training centers in the Belgorod and Kursk regions.

He stated that he himself would finance these training centers, support from the federal and regional budgets of PMCs would not be required. According to the businessman, local residents know their territories better and are able to fight sabotage and reconnaissance groups and “take the first blow if necessary.”