Kharakternyky Battalion
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Kharakternyky Battalion
| native_name = Батальйон Характерники
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| image_size = 200
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| dates = 2024 – Present
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| allegiance = {{flagu|Ukraine}}
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| type = Penal battalion
| role = Assault troops{{Cite web|url=https://www.komersant.info/en/ministr-iustytsii-rozpoviv-de-sluzhytymut-mobilizovani-v-iazni-3/|title=Minister of Justice tells where mobilised prisoners will serve - Ukrainian Komersant|first=Остафійчук|last=Ярослав|date=May 28, 2024}}
| size = 400–800
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| nickname = Wizards Battalion
| patron = Daniel of Galiciahttps://censor.net/en/photonews/3507030/voyiny_24yi_ombr_pokazaly_zruyinovanyyi_rosiyiskymy_okupantamy_chasiv_yar
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| battles = Russian Invasion of Ukraine
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| commander1 =
| current_commander = Unknown
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| commander2 =
| commander2_label = Notable Commanders
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At the beginning of July 2024 reports of the "Kharakternyky" Ukrainian convicts battalion started to appear.
Prisoners who are barred from recruitment include those convicted of the murder of two or more people, rape, sexual violence, terrorism and treason.{{Cite web|url=https://babel.ua/en/news/109305-ministry-of-justice-the-first-seven-female-prisoners-signed-a-contract-with-the-armed-forces-of-ukraine|title=Ministry of Justice: The first seven female prisoners signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine|date=July 24, 2024|website=babel.ua}} If a member of the battalion would attempt to desert or retreat without authorisation, an additional 5 to 10 years would be added to their sentence.{{Cite web|url=https://babel.ua/en/news/107312-the-ministry-of-justice-said-that-more-than-three-thousand-convicts-have-submitted-statements-of-desire-to-serve-in-the-army|title=The Ministry of Justice said that more than three thousand convicts have submitted statements of desire to serve in the army|date=May 21, 2024|website=babel.ua}} Protection for Prisoners of Ukraine leader, Oleg Tsvily said that his organization "supports the idea behind the law but the text that was passed is discriminatory".{{Cite web|url=https://www.turkiyetoday.com/world/ukraine-approves-bill-allowing-prisoners-to-join-armed-forces-amid-manpower-shortage-17404/|title=Ukraine approves bill allowing prisoners to join armed forces amid manpower shortage - Türkiye Today}} He also raised concerns about convicts being abused by their commanders and used as cannon fodder saying "Some commanders treat even ordinary mobilised people badly, why would it be different for prisoners?"{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/8/ukraine-parliament-passes-bill-for-prisoners-to-join-army|title=Ukraine parliament passes bill for prisoners to join army|website=Al Jazeera}}{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/ukraine-parliament-passes-bill-allowing-prisoners-to-join-military-amid-personnel-shortage/articleshow/109973651.cms?from=mdr|title=Ukraine parliament passes bill allowing prisoners to join military amid personnel shortage|date=May 9, 2024|via=The Economic Times - The Times of India}}
The battalion was reported to have 400 to 800 members.{{Cite web|url=https://babel.ua/en/news/108847-kharakternyky-battalion-has-appeared-in-ukraine-it-consists-of-convicts|title="Kharakternyky" battalion has appeared in Ukraine — it consists of convicts|date=July 9, 2024|website=babel.ua}} The battalion is attached to the 24th Mechanized Brigade.{{Cite web|url=https://www.komersant.info/en/kharakternyky-u-zsu-z-iavyvsia-batalyon-z-kolyshnikh-v-iazniv-3/|title='Characterisers': a battalion of ex-prisoners has appeared in the Ukrainian Armed Forces - Ukrainian Komersant|first=Остафійчук|last=Ярослав|date=July 10, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ostro.org/ru/news/harakternyky-so-vtorym-shansom-brygada-so-lvovshhyny-sformyrovala-batalon-yz-byvshyh-zaklyuchennyh-i481519|title="Характерники" со вторым шансом: бригада со Львовщины сформировала батальон из бывших заключенных|website=www.ostro.org}}