High wages and a promise of citizenship: Russia recruits African mercenaries as conflict with Ukraine escalates

The war in Ukraine continues, and there is little indication that it will end anytime soon. Meanwhile, Russia is doing everything to acquire new front-line forces and is seeking support in Africa. The Main Directorate of Military Intelligence (HUR) reports that the recruitment includes Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and Uganda.

The aggressor state of Russia has significantly intensified its campaign to recruit foreign mercenaries for the war against Ukraine: it is recruiting manpower in Central Africa, in particular in Rwanda, Burundi, Congo and Uganda – reported HUR on its website.

Ukrainian intelligence reports that a specially established unit within the Russian Ministry of Defence in Moscow closely monitors the recruitment process. The task of this unit is to acquire African mercenaries who are to participate in so-called 'meat assaults' on Ukrainian territory. This brutal strategy involves sending large but poorly equipped units into confrontation, often with high casualties.

African volunteers who decide to take part in the fighting on the Russian side receive an initial fee for signing the contract. How much does a Russian mercenary earn?

The initial salary is £1,600. Subsequently, there is a £1,750 monthly salary along with health insurance. An additional incentive is the promise of obtaining Russian citizenship, which can be granted to the soldier and his family.

Russia's recruitment of mercenaries is also a clear signal of the problematic situation on the Ukrainian front. Increasing the number of soldiers through foreign mercenaries may indicate problems with mobilizing their armed forces or the need to replenish losses suffered during the conflict.