Putin resorts to sending migrants to the frontline as Russian army depleted

Vladimir Putin is actively recruiting migrants from Central Asia to bolster Russia’s war-depleted army after more than three years of conflict in Ukraine.

According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, many of these recruits have already died on the battlefield—most of them from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Russia is enticing foreign nationals with promises of high salaries and short-term military contracts. However, most new recruits are reportedly killed shortly after being deployed to Ukraine.

These foreign soldiers are typically assigned to special units that are sent to the most dangerous sections of the front line.

Even if they survive, many face the risk of imprisonment in their home countries for serving in a foreign military—an act that is illegal under the laws of several Central Asian nations.

In the past, Russia has also relied on contingents of foreign fighters, including up to 11,000 North Korean troops, and Ukrainian forces have reportedly identified Chinese soldiers on the battlefield as well.

(QG - Source: RBC Ukraine - Picture : © Unsplash)