Russia has faced accusations of dispatching thousands of migrants and foreign students to join its troops in the conflict against Ukraine as a condition for visa renewal.
According to reports from Bloomberg, several European officials have alleged that the Kremlin is utilising this tactic to bolster its manpower, a strategy reminiscent of the methods employed by the Wagner mercenary group.
The report further suggests that Russia has been leveraging the threat of visa non-renewal to coerce African students and young workers into military service. Some officials familiar with the matter revealed instances where African individuals in Russia on work visas have been detained and compelled to choose between deportation or enlistment.
Additionally, there have been claims of individuals bribing officials to evade military service while staying in the country.
The practice of conscripting migrants and students into combat under duress has been ongoing since earlier in the conflict, as mentioned by European officials. These individuals, often deployed in hazardous offensive operations to shield more trained units, face significantly elevated casualty rates.
While the precise figures remain unconfirmed, reports from Ukrainian intelligence indicate Russia’s global recruitment efforts, extending to at least 21 countries, particularly across Africa. These recruitment campaigns offer lucrative incentives and have targeted migrants, students, and others seeking employment in Russia.
Although Russia’s ability to mobilise additional troops could impact the conflict’s dynamics, its forces have encountered significant setbacks and sustained heavy casualties. Despite this, the Kremlin has intensified its bombing campaign in key Ukrainian cities, notably Kharkiv, with the intent to render areas uninhabitable.
As Putin seeks to maintain domestic support, Russia has refrained from a full-scale mobilization, instead relying on voluntary recruitment drives. However, reports suggest that foreign fighters, including Africans and Nepalis, have been increasingly captured by Ukrainian forces.
Efforts by Group of Seven (G7) nations to garner support from countries in the Global South for Ukraine have faced challenges, with many nations opting for neutrality amidst Moscow’s disinformation campaigns.
The revelation of African citizens recruited by the Wagner group underscores the broader issue of migrant exploitation in conflicts. With tens of thousands of African students currently in Russia, concerns persist regarding their vulnerability to such coercion tactics.
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