Russia is making it easier for foreign volunteers, such as citizens of Syria, Afghanistan, North Korea, and Iran, to join the Russian military. However, Kyrgyz and Uzbek-origin immigrants may face criminal charges back home. This indicates experienced challenges in soldier recruitment and Moscow's state of desperation in finding more bodies.
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 PolicyHe 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.
However, far greater numbers are anticipated to join the Russian military due to three additional changes to Russian law.
- 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.
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