The UK Defence Intelligence update for the 8 May 2023 has revealed that Russian military recruiters have been actively targeting central Asian migrant workers in Russia to serve in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

According to the report, these recruiters have visited mosques and immigration offices in search of potential recruits.

At the immigration offices, staff fluent in Tajik and Uzbek have routinely attempted to recruit migrants.

Financial Incentives and Fast-Track Citizenship

Radio Free Europe reported that recruiters have offered sign-up bonuses of USD $2,390 and salaries of up to USD $4,160 a month to entice migrants to enlist. Additionally, these migrants have been promised a fast-track Russian citizenship path of six months to one year, instead of the usual five years. The high monthly salary and sign-up bonuses are expected to persuade some migrant workers to sign up.

Deployed to High-Casualty Frontlines

It is believed that these newly recruited migrants are likely to be sent to the Ukrainian frontlines, where the casualty rate is extremely high. This recruitment effort is part of the Russian Ministry of Defence’s attempts to fulfil its target of 400,000 volunteers to fight in Ukraine.

Delaying Mandatory Mobilisation

The authorities are “almost certainly seeking to delay any new overt mandatory mobilisation for as long as possible to minimise domestic dissent,” according to the Defence Intelligence update. By recruiting migrants, Russia aims to lessen the burden on its citizens and reduce the risk of internal opposition to the conflict in Ukraine.

Tom has spent the last 13 years working in the defence industry, specifically military and commercial shipbuilding. His work has taken him around Europe and the Far East, he is currently based in Scotland.
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Jacko
Jacko
10 months ago

Well I suppose they can promise high monthly salaries because they know full well most of them won’t be alive to collect!

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
10 months ago
Reply to  Jacko

More cannon fodder.

Crabfat
Crabfat
10 months ago
Reply to  Jacko

I guess, if the volunteers last a month, then at least their families could get $6,500 in total. Big bucks for a Tajik family. That’s if the Russian army is honest with them. Yeah, right…

David Lloyd
David Lloyd
10 months ago

Interesting snippets culled from OSINT:- Ukraine has had to upgrade the software on their HIMARS systems as the Russians have learned to jam them. Also the JDAMS and other guided bombs. Russian partizans are believed to be operating behind the lines searching for Zhitel R-330Zh mobile jamming stations deployed in camuflaged trucks with large aerials Air defenses in Central Russia are being bolstered, especially in the Moscow direction. An S-400 missile convoy with Pantsir missile & AA artillery complexes were seen on the move in the Tula area 150km S of Moscow heading N Other partizan attacks behind the lines… Read more »

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
10 months ago
Reply to  David Lloyd

Thanks David.

Chris
Chris
10 months ago
Reply to  David Lloyd

JDAM and HIMARS have inertial navigation, there is no GPS receiver required and no jamming possible if they are used correctly.

farouk
farouk
10 months ago

This is an interesting subject, seeing as a few of the former Russian states: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Have not only taken in hundreds of thousands of Russians fleeing conscription back home , they have publicly informed their citizens not to enrol and fight for Moscow in the Ukraine and whilst the money may appear good, I’ll put money on the table that the dragging out of what should have been a very one-sided contest , with virtually (from all sides) daily negative reporting regards the fighting conditions for Russian soldiers , has had an effect on the people thinking of… Read more »

Crabfat
Crabfat
10 months ago
Reply to  farouk

“…Putin will be remembered as the architect who dismembered it”. – and who wanted a smaller NATO and got a bigger one.

Frank62
Frank62
10 months ago

That sounds like a new version of Russian Roulette. Astonished the Red Square parade ws a single T-34. Even Russians realise Putin veiws them as cannon fodder for his imperial ambitions. I hope te damage being inflicted on Rusia for generations to come is not lost on the CCP.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
10 months ago

Just thinking about this issue. How many migrants actually think I know I’m going to leave my rubbish crappy dangerous country to go and live in……another rubbish, crappy dangerous country where the chances of getting killed or maimed are higher than if I just stayed where I was.
I cant see many migrants going to Russia myself.