In an effort to replenish the dwindling ranks of the Russian army fighting in Ukraine, Moscow is making it easier for persons with dual citizenship to be drafted and serve. Additionally, it is also making it more straightforward for those with citizenship in other countries. They can volunteer for service in the Russian military.
As a result, Anatoly Tsyganok, a retired colonel and the head of the Moscow-based Center for Military Forecasting, says that “residents of Syria, Afghanistan, North Korea or Iran” could soon serve in the Russian military.
Russia recruiting Afghan commandos for Ukraine war – Foreign Policy
He claims that in March, some in the defense ministry estimated that “more than 16,000” foreign volunteers in the Middle East alone wanted to join the Russian military.
- First, Moscow can now draft residents of the Russian Federation with dual Russian-non-Russian citizenship.
- Second, it promises to expedite the citizenship process for CIS who serve in the Russian military.
- And third, it is removing many restrictions on foreign volunteers, which is reportedly unpopular with many commanders. They fear that an influx of such persons into the Russian ranks will result in a decline in unit cohesion. It can even open conflicts, as has already occurred.
Another constraint to this program is that some countries, including Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, from which many immigrants in Russia originate, have already warned their nationals that they will face criminal penalties. The penalties will be imposed if they participate in foreign government’s, in particular Russian military operation.
But the most critical aspect of this report is that it demonstrates just how difficult it is for the Russian authorities to raise forces through traditional means. For instance, it is challenging to draft and maintain the spirit of volunteerism among Russians. Additionally, Moscow is extremely eager now to do whatever it takes to find more bodies.
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- “Russian” combat losses in Ukraine appear to be disproportionately non-Russians or ethnic Russians from rural areas
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