Russia recruits people in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and migrant workers as fighters against Ukraine in exchange for Russian citizenship

aihue@lemmy.ca to Ukraine@sopuli.xyz – 113 points –

As of late June 2023, Russia has been appealing to citizens of neighbouring countries with recruitment adverts for individuals to fight in Ukraine. Online adverts have been observed in Armenia and Kazakhstan offering 495,000 roubles ($5,140 USD) in initial payments and salaries from 190,000 roubles ($1,973 USD). There have been recruitment efforts in Kazakhstan's northern Qostanai region, appealing to the ethnic Russian population.

Since at least May 2023, Russia has approached central Asian migrants to fight in Ukraine with promises of fast-track citizenship and salaries of up to $4,160 USD. Uzbek migrant builders in Mariupol have reportedly had their passports confiscated upon arrival and been coerced to join the Russian military. There are at least six million migrants from Central Asia in Russia, which the Kremlin likely sees as potential recruits.

Russia likely wishes to avoid further unpopular domestic mobilisation measures in the run up to the 2024 Presidential elections. Exploiting foreign nationals allows the Kremlin to acquire additional personnel for its war effort in the face of mounting casualties.

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Muscovites and exploiting central Asian Turkic people name a more iconic duo

Don't think you meant it, but just to clarify, Armenians are definitely not turkic.

If he keeps it up, this might be his first election with less than 130% of the vote in favor of him.

Biggest problems I see here.

  1. Uzbek migrant builders have reportedly had their passports confiscated upon arrival and been coerced to join the Russian military.

So it's not even a choice for these people.

  1. Online adverts have been observed in Armenia and Kazakhstan offering 495,000 roubles.

And they are being paid in a worthless currency that can only be used in Russia.

  1. And salaries of 190,000 roubles.

Most of them will not make a salary as they will be dead before they collect their first paycheck. Not speculation, Russia is known to use tactics where they fling human meat at gunner emplacements until they run out of ammo. Then finish off the gun emplacements with advance troops.

Oh yes, I'm sure foreign people have the best motivation to fight for Putin.

For that money? People have been prostituting their body for way less.

They reward them with high wages, then punish them with citizenship?

Odd...

Very odd...

That's just the opening deal.

Hi Mr Putin, I'll take half if I don't have to be Russian at the end of it.