The Russian Army fighting Ukraine has as in past wars emptied their prisons making them conscripts.
If you live, your free.
The choices are move forward and win. If you retreat the Russian army will kill you.
Their war in Ukraine is the same as past wars. Throw enough men at them and wait for the winter to defeat the enemy. The only problem in this war is that Ukraine is prepared for winter.
And now there are reports of North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine. Who knows what other "troops" are involved as I don't think Russia trusts the Wagner group anymore.