Russia Lures Arab Fighters to Ukraine Front Lines
Here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, focusing on the recruitment of foreign fighters by Russia:
Key Points:
* Foreign Fighters in Russian Army: Russia is actively recruiting foreign fighters, with estimates ranging in the tens of thousands.
* Origins of Recruits: Many come from countries with economic hardship: the Middle East, Africa, South and East Asia. Specifically mentioned are Iraq (around 2,000),Egypt,Algeria,Yemen,Jordan,Nepal,Afghanistan,India,Pakistan,Sri Lanka,Cuba,and Syria (though recruitment from some of these has stopped).
* Recruitment Methods:
* Students: Some are former students whose visas have expired.
* Tourist Visas: Others arrive on tourist visas after military approval.
* Brokers: Some are met at the airport by brokers and Russian officers.
* recruitment Agencies: Companies like “Alexandrovna’s” facilitate the process.
* Incentives:
* Signing Bonus: 1.5 million rubles (approximately $17,000).
* Monthly Salary: $2,500 - $3,500 (significant compared to wages in countries like Egypt).
* Citizenship: Granted soon after joining.
* Benefits for Families: Financial compensation and citizenship if killed or wounded.
* Vacation: Two-week paid vacation after six months of a one-year deployment.
* Training: 4-6 weeks, including basic Russian language instruction.
* Propaganda: Recruitment channels (like Alexandrovna’s) promote Russian victories in Ukraine.
* Ukrainian Side: ukraine also has a foreign legion,with approximately 20,000 fighters from 50 countries,including around 3,000 Iraqis.
in essence, the article details how Russia is leveraging economic desperation in other countries to bolster its forces in Ukraine, offering substantial financial incentives and the promise of citizenship.