Konstantin A. was detained in Siberia on suspicion of raping and abusing his 64-year-old mother

13:10, Mon, Feb 23, 2026 Updated: 13:23, Mon, Feb 23, 2026

A pixellated portrait photo of the suspect, named only as Konstantin A

The suspect has been named only as (Image: East2West News)

A man has joined Vladimir Putin’s armed forces rather than face trial for raping his own mother. The sex crime suspect, who is also a convicted murderer, signed a contract to fight alongside Russian troops in Russia's illegal war against Ukraine.

It means he will not face trial, according to a report by Astra media. His welcoming into Putin's military appears to show how low Russian armed forces will sink to recruit men to fight on the Russian president’s frontline. The suspect, identified only as Konstantin A., was detained in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, in late January on suspicion of raping and abusing his 64-year-old mother.

The media outlet reports his detention fell on the same day his mother was taken to hospital with injuries after the alleged assault and abuse by her son.

It added that after his detention, law enforcement officers allegedly offered Konstantin the opportunity to sign a contract and join war in Ukraine in order to avoid criminal punishment.

He signed a written agreement to fight for Putin and avoid justice, the independent outlet reported, citing a family "source" and legal representative.

The suspected rapist had been released from jail after serving more than 13 years for the assault and murder of a woman. On his release he posted a picture online, reading: "I'm celebrating 2026 with my family". Soon afterwards he was accused of assaulting and raping his mother.

The Putin regime is routinely offering detainees facing serious charges the chance to avoid justice by going to fight in the war.

Russia has seen almost 1.2 million casualties in Putin's full-scale war against Ukraine, which is now in its fifth year.

Figures from the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies suggest combined Russian and Ukrainian casualties could hit two million by this spring.

Russia is expected to resume involuntary reserve call ups as it struggles to replace battlefield losses, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

The thinktank said a Bill passed by Russia's State Duma provides the Kremlin with the legal means to prosecute Russians who criticise the call ups.

Authorities in Russia are reportedly reluctant to pursue general conscription or the kind of partial mobilisation carried out in September 2022 amid concerns of a backlash.