Kremlin recruits migrants for war to avoid pre-election mobilization - UK intelligence

This was reported by the UK Ministry of Defense. 

"Russia likely wishes to avoid further unpopular domestic mobilization measures in the run up to the 2024 Presidential elections. Exploiting foreign nationals allows the Kremlin to acquire additional personnel for its war effort in the face of mounting casualties," the report-said.

As of the end of June 2023, Russia called on people from neighboring countries to join the fighting in Ukraine.

In countries like Armenia and Kazakhstan, there were online ads promoting service in the Russian army. They offered foreigners an initial payment of 495,000 rubles ($5,140) and starting salaries of 190,000 rubles ($1,973).

In the Quostanai region in northern Kazakhstan, they recruited ethnic Russians. Since May 2023, Russia has also been recruiting migrants from Central Asian countries, promising them faster citizenship and salaries of up to $4,160.

British intelligence estimates that Russia has around six million migrants from Central Asia, whom the Kremlin likely sees as potential recruits.

Furthermore, according to the British Ministry of Defence, in the occupied city of Mariupol, Uzbek migrant construction workers had their passports confiscated upon arrival and were forced to join the Russian army.

• Earlier, Andriy Yusov, a representative of the GUR, reported that Russia is running a full-scale mobilization campaign. Approximately 20,000 people are being enlisted for the war in Ukraine every month.

• Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence at the Ministry of Defense, mentioned that mobilization in Russia continues, and Russian authorities are considering the possibility of conscripting 450,000 people for military operations in Ukraine.

• According to a Russian prisoner of war, some Russians are resorting to self-mutilation or hiding to avoid being drafted.