The Russian Ministry of Defence aims to sign 18,500 contracts this year
The Russian Federation has increased the number of foreign mercenaries in its armed forces to 46,000. Recruits come from 151 different countries worldwide. This was reported by Ukrinform citing Координаційний штаб з питань поводження з військовополоненими, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation is systematically expanding its efforts to recruit foreign citizens for hostilities against Ukraine. This was reported by Dmytro Usov, Secretary of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, at the international Crimea Global conference. He stated that while previously there were 28,000 foreigners from 138 countries, the number has now reached 46,000 individuals from 151 nations.
Geography of mercenary recruitment
The Ukrainian side possesses detailed information about every foreign contract soldier, including personal data, contract dates, and military ID tags. The most significant increase in mercenary numbers has been recorded among citizens of Indonesia, Peru, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Chad, the Philippines, Congo, Panama, Ecuador, and Zimbabwe. At the same time, active diplomatic efforts by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have managed, in certain instances, to minimize or completely halt recruitment flows from specific nations.
Motivation and captivity
According to survey data, about half of the foreign prisoners of war were informed about the objectives of their contracts and understood that they would participate in military actions against Ukraine. Nearly 47% of those surveyed agreed to cooperate with the Russian army in hopes of obtaining Russian citizenship. Other motivating factors include financial payments and social benefits promised by the occupation command.
Systemic nature of the Russian campaign
Approximately 41% of respondents confirmed that the contract signing process took place officially through Russian military commissariats and specialized recruitment centers. Dmytro Usov emphasized that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, citizens of 59 countries have been taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces. Following their capture, over 79% of the foreigners express a desire to return to Russia rather than to their home countries, driven by the desire to receive promised remuneration.
Photo: Ukrinform
