Alcatraz Battalion

The Special Rifles Alcatraz Battalion is a penal battalion currently operating as part of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar" on the eastern front of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Fighting in the Pokrovsk, Kurakhove and Chasiv Yar^[3] areas of the Donetsk regions under Commander Validol, the battalion consists of prison inmates who have volunteered to serve militarily, prematurely ending their sentences. Selection for recruits began in July 2024, by August the battalion was engaging in missions.

Special Rifle "Alcatraz" Battalion
Батальйон Алькатрас 93 бригади
Battalion insignia
Active	July 2024[1] – present
Country	Ukraine
Branch	Ukrainian Ground Forces
Type	Shkval Battalion
Size	250
Garrison/HQ	Cherkaske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
Nickname(s)	'Alcatraz' (Official)
Engagements	Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Commanders
Current commander	Commander "Validol"[2]

Since December 2024, Canadian volunteer April Huggett has been serving as a combat medic and PR officer for the Alcatraz Battalion.^[4]