Anna Hartz
As the war in Ukraine drags on, Russia continues searching for new ways to fill the ranks of its military.
In recent months, reports about foreign nationals being recruited into the Russian army have become more common. Some people sign up willingly for money or residency benefits. Others, according to Ukrainian and anti-Kremlin sources, may be facing pressure behind closed doors.
Now, the partisan movement ATESH says cases involving foreign citizens are increasing in several Russian cities.
Intimidation and legal pressure
In a statement published on Telegram, the group claimed that migrants and foreign nationals in Saint Petersburg, Moscow, and Yekaterinburg are being targeted through a repeated pattern of intimidation and legal pressure, according to United24Media. .
According to ATESH, Russian migration authorities are allegedly freezing bank accounts belonging to foreigners without warning. At the same time, some people reportedly receive notices ordering them to leave the country, even when no official violation has been confirmed.
The group says criminal cases are then opened against some individuals on what it describes as fabricated charges.
After that, detainees are reportedly approached by officials and offered contracts with the Russian military. The offers are presented during interviews or interrogations, according to the report.
ATESH claims many of those being targeted come from Central Asia, East Asia, and African countries. Some agree to join the army because they fear losing their legal status, documents, or freedom inside Russia.
Bribing with money doesn’t work anymore
The movement believes the growing pressure shows Russia is struggling to attract enough volunteers from within the country.
“Money is no longer working as well as before,” the group said in its statement. “The Kremlin is now focusing on people who have more to lose.”
Ukrainian intelligence has also spoken publicly about the issue. Officials from Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate said they have identified more than 28,000 foreign nationals serving under contract in the Russian military.
According to Ukrainian officials, those recruits come from at least 136 different countries. The figure does not include North Korean troops, whose numbers are estimated at more than 14,000.
Ukraine also claims that thousands of foreign fighters remain in Russian service even after their contracts have officially expired.
At the same time, Ukrainian officials say Russia has shown little interest in negotiating for captured foreign fighters held by Ukraine. According to Kyiv, Russian negotiators have mainly focused on North Korean prisoners while ignoring most other foreign nationals fighting on Russia’s side.
