Kathrine Frich
Footage circulating online is shedding on how Russian soldiers treat inside Russia’s war effort.
The short video, recorded casually on a phone, has sparked outrage for what it reveals about attitudes on the front line.
The clip has quickly spread on social media, raising fresh questions about the role and fate of mercenaries fighting alongside Russian forces.
Foreign fighters
Russia’s army includes not only its own soldiers but also mercenaries from countries aligned with the Kremlin, such as North Korea, as well as recruits from several African states. Many of these men are believed to have joined the war for financial reasons.
Critics say these fighters are routinely treated as expendable, a perception reinforced by repeated accounts from the battlefield.
The video in question appears to support those claims.
Mockery on camera
The footage shows a group of African mercenaries dancing and singing along to a cheerful tune. The atmosphere among the men appears relaxed and upbeat.
Behind the camera, however, a Russian soldier can be heard making mocking remarks as he films them.
“Look how many disposables there are. They’re even singing. It’s so joyful,” the soldier says, laughing.
He adds that “there’s no problem with that,” before suggesting their mood will soon change.
“They’ll sing differently”
The Russian soldier continues his commentary by hinting at what awaits the mercenaries.
“As soon as they are sent to attack, they will start singing differently, to a completely different tune,” he says ominously.
The remarks have been widely condemned online as dehumanising and illustrative of how some Russian troops view allied foreign fighters.
The identity of the soldier and the exact location of the recording have not been independently verified.
Broader picture
According to estimates from the Unified Medical Information and Analytical System (UMIS), around 1,500 mercenaries from more than 48 countries are currently fighting on Russia’s side in the war against Ukraine.
Reports from the front have repeatedly suggested that foreign recruits are often assigned to the most dangerous missions, with limited protection and high casualty rates.
The video has added to mounting evidence that these fighters are seen less as allies and more as expendable manpower.
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Sources: Social media footage, UMIS, O2.
