Russia is using foreign mercenaries from more than 40 countries in its war against Ukraine, including from Central Asia, Africa and Latin America, the head of the Defence Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate, Oleh Ivashchenko, told Ukrinform in an interview.
Foreigners are mainly used in assault units. Russians often send them in ahead of their own troops.
“Some of these people end up in the war through deception. They go to Russia looking for work, sign contracts, sometimes without even understanding what exactly they are signing. The Armed Forces of Ukraine and our intelligence take such servicemen prisoner, so we see this situation not only from documents or intercepted communications,” he explained.
Intelligence services are also working separately with countries whose citizens Moscow is trying to recruit.
“But foreigners do not solve Russia’s manpower problem. They can only partially make up for losses,” Oleh Ivashchenko said.