Russian recruits prisoners and global volunteers for Ukraine war
Russian emissaries are actively searching for volunteers worldwide to fight in Ukraine, claims Ukrainian military officer Vladyslav Seleznov. Their recruitment efforts even extend to prisons in Russia.
Main information
- Russian emissaries are looking globally for volunteers to fight in Ukraine.
- The recruitment drive includes Russian prisons.
- Many recruits do not survive to receive their first paycheck.
Russian emissaries worldwide
Lieutenant Colonel in Reserve Vladyslav Seleznov reveals that Russia is actively seeking volunteers to fight in Ukraine. Russian emissaries are operating on a global scale, recruiting those willing to join the fight. This includes enlisting individuals from Russian prisons.
Recruitment in prisons and in Crimea
Seleznov highlights significant interest in signing up to fight in occupied Crimea. Many people enlist, but they often do not survive long enough to collect their first paycheck, effectively serving as "cannon fodder."
Russian emissaries are literally scouring every corner of the globe, looking for anyone willing to earn money by killing Ukrainians, said Lieutenant Colonel in Reserve of the Ukrainian Navy Vladyslav Seleznov in an interview with Ukrainian Radio.
Vladyslav Seleznov also mentions the presence of Chinese mercenaries in the Russian armed forces. The Ukrainian military has captured two Chinese citizens fighting for Russia. The Chinese citizens claim they were recruited by intermediaries and had no official contact with Chinese authorities.
International reactions
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukrainian intelligence possesses information about Chinese soldiers fighting alongside Russia. However, Beijing has not condemned Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, and a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson has described these reports as "irresponsible."
In recent years, Russia and China have strengthened their economic, military, and political relationships. Nonetheless, the presence of Chinese mercenaries within the Russian military raises controversies and questions about the future of their relationship.