NewsRussia recruits African mercenaries with $2,200 monthly salary

Russia recruits African mercenaries with $2,200 monthly salary

How much does Putin pay? This is what Russian mercenaries get paid.
How much does Putin pay? This is what Russian mercenaries get paid.
Images source: © Unsplash | Filip Andrejevic

6:34 AM EDT, May 29, 2024

Russia is intensifying its efforts to recruit foreign mercenaries from Africa to fight against Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Military Intelligence (HUR), the recruitment includes African countries. How much does a Russian mercenary earn?

The war in Ukraine continues, and there is little indication that it will end anytime soon. Meanwhile, Russia is doing everything to acquire new front-line forces by seeking African support. The Main Directorate of Military Intelligence (HUR) reports that the recruitment includes Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and Uganda.

The aggressor state of Russia has significantly intensified its campaign to recruit foreign mercenaries for the war against Ukraine: it is recruiting manpower in Central Africa, in particular in Rwanda, Burundi, Congo and Uganda – reported HUR on its website.

Ukrainian intelligence reports that a specially established unit within the Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow closely monitors the recruitment process. The task of this unit is to acquire African mercenaries who are to participate in so-called "meat assaults" on Ukrainian territory. This brutal strategy involves sending large but poorly equipped units into confrontation, often resulting in high casualties.

How much does a Russian mercenary earn?

African volunteers who decide to take part in the fighting on the Russian side receive an initial fee for signing the contract. The initial salary is $2,000. Subsequently, there is a $2,200 monthly salary along with health insurance. An additional incentive is the promise of obtaining Russian citizenship, which can be granted to the soldier and his family.

Russia's recruitment of mercenaries is also a clear signal of the problematic situation on the Ukrainian front. Increasing the number of soldiers through foreign mercenaries may indicate problems with mobilizing their armed forces or the need to replenish losses suffered during the conflict.

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