Ukraine war: UK says Russia recruiting migrants, soldiers in neighbouring countries
- UK says Russia recruiting foreigners to avoid another unpopular general mobilisation
- Russia has sought to attract soldiers by promising an initial payment of US$5,130
Russia is recruiting migrants from Central Asia and neighbouring countries to be soldiers for its war against Ukraine, according to British intelligence.
“There are at least 6 million migrants from Central Asia in Russia, which the Kremlin likely sees as potential recruits,” the Defence Ministry said on Sunday in its latest intelligence update.
Russia’s goal is to avoid another unpopular general mobilisation before presidential elections next year, the ministry said.
President Vladimir Putin ordered a “partial mobilisation” of 300,000 reservists in September 2022, prompting hundreds of thousands of others to flee Russia to avoid being sent to fight. Putin has said there is no need for any further mobilisation.
“Exploiting foreign nationals allows the Kremlin to acquire additional personnel for its war effort in the face of increasing losses,” the British Ministry of Defence statement said.