The Russian military is trying to recruit migrant workers from Central Asia to take part in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the UK Defense Department said at a briefing on Monday morning.
“Recruiters have visited mosques and immigration offices to recruit staff,” the UK ministry said.
“In the immigration services, Tajik- and Uzbek-speaking officers are systematically trying to recruit migrants,” he said in his daily briefing, citing authoritative British intelligence.
The latest military intelligence report on the situation in Ukraine is May 8, 2023.
Learn more about the use of language by military intelligence: https://t.co/q3q2D3qfib
🇺🇦 #StopWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/fEVdSbv4Kq
— Department of Defense 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) May 8, 2023
According to the Prague-based American radio station Radio Free Europe, registration bonuses amount to $2,390, while military salaries reach $4,160 per month.
In addition, accelerated acquisition of Russian citizenship is offered within six to twelve months instead of the usual five years.
The ministry said high wages and registration bonuses could encourage migrant workers to join the military, although such migrants are likely to be sent even to the front lines.
The ministry said the Kremlin is aiming to reach a goal of 400,000 additional volunteers for the Russian-Ukrainian war and is trying to avoid a new draft after last fall, when about 330,000 Russians were enlisted, according to official figures.
Source: UK Department of Defense.
Source: Kathimerini
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