Dmitry Vedernikov, the leader of the 1990s Trans-Baikal criminal group "Metsenatovskie", who was sentenced to 24 years in prison in 2011 for banditry, murders, and car thefts, has been transferred from prison to take part in the "special military operation". Local media report this.
According to sources, the russian authorities were reluctant to release such a dangerous criminal, even for his participation in the war against Ukraine. In October 2023, he was denied the opportunity to sign a contract with the russian Armed Forces. A year later, recruiters decided that Vedernikov's criminal talents would be useful in the "SMO".