Volunteer soldier denied Russian citizenship, forced back to the front

Different motivations drive the volunteers to join the Russian military. A Tajikistan citizen eager to become a Russian citizen enlisted in the army. He was supposed to receive citizenship, but officials refused to grant him this document. Instead of receiving the documents, he was injured and was to be sent to the front again.

The war in Ukraine has been ongoing for over two years. Social media platforms often share stories of Ukrainian prisoners of war who returned from Russia after being detained. We also learn about the captured Russians, who reveal their motivations for joining the army.

This time, journalists were contacted by Ibrahim, who was born in Tajikistan. The Russian media portal Belsat shared his story.

I'm ready to talk, but maybe I should cover my face? You all know how we, Wagnerians, are treated now... I have children, after all - the soldier reportedly said.

According to Belsat, the man tried several times to obtain Russian citizenship while working in Russia. After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Ibrahim decided to go to the front. He argued that he was afraid that "those fascists will come to us".

The Ministry of Defence refused to sign a contract due to a lack of proper documents. Then the man joined the Wagner Group, where he was told he would receive citizenship after participating in the war - reports "Belsat". Members of the group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, began marching on Moscow in June 2023.

While in Ukraine, Ibrahim suffered such severe injuries that he may never fully recover. After the article was published in Russian media, representatives from the Department of Migration contacted Ibrahim. He did not receive citizenship. Russian officials want him to go back to fight at the front again.