Vladimir Putin is apparently running out of soldiers. At least Moscow’s current “recruitment attempts” seem increasingly desperate. The British secret service speaks of “unconventional” methods and even brings the hiring of prisoners into play.
“Personnel shortages in the Russian armed forces could force the Russian Defense Ministry to resort to unconventional recruitment methods,” the Defense Ministry’s daily intelligence update in London said on Tuesday.
First example: The secret service experts believe it is possible that Russia will hire fighters for the Wagner mercenary group in prisons. A video by Kremlin critic Igor Sushko also supports this. The picture is believed to have been taken in a penitentiary in Adygea in the North Caucasus in southern Russia. The Wagner unit only recruited 300 prisoners here for the war in Ukraine, he comments on the article.
The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified. But the British also believe that the recruitment of prisoners is likely and state: “If this is true, this step probably indicates difficulties in replacing the considerable Russian losses.”
In fact, further recruitment attempts by the Russians also suggest this. Second example: Young Russians report in “Spiegel” that they were recruited by telephone. One person affected speaks of so-called “cold calls”. Like selling a phone contract or insurance, callers would use cold calling to get people to “serve in Ukraine,” he says.
Third example: A military commissar from the Russian city of Konakovo video called on volunteers to fight in Ukraine. “It is necessary to have good health – and the desire,” he said. He also tries to lure Russians with high pay. According to Yuri Negowora, there are contracts for a period of three months or more with a payment of 200,000 to 400,000 rubles (3,400 to 6,800 euros).
This is also emphasized by the fourth example: Moscow has significantly increased the pay for soldiers. They are said to earn 300,000 rubles (4,500 euros) per month – a sum that is more than seven times the average salary in the region. This is also advertised on large billboards, for example in buses. “Sign a contract and you can earn one million rubles (equivalent to 16,000 euros) this summer,” it says. And the words: “A job for real men.”
Last example: the minimum requirements for contract soldiers have been lowered. Men can now join the army up to the age of 65, previously the maximum age was 40. In addition, short-term contracts of three, six or twelve months have recently been awarded, without any necessary training, Russia expert Rácz explained to the ” game of the day “.
Contract soldiers play an important role for Moscow, as they are allowed – unlike conscripts – to operate abroad. Rácz criticizes that soldiers with hardly any training are cannon fodder in Putin’s war.
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