Russia actively recruiting foreigners for Ukraine war through Arab countries
Recent investigations have revealed that the Russian Federation is conducting a large-scale campaign to enlist foreign volunteers from Arab countries to participate in combat operations against Ukraine.
According to reports from Arab publications such as The Arab Weekly and Alhurra, Moscow organizes the recruitment process by displaying advertisements with QR codes, promising substantial monetary payments, and prospects of acquiring Russian citizenship.
Prospective volunteers are invited for interviews and medical examinations directly at the Russian Defense Ministry facilities, and after several weeks of training, they are sent to the frontlines.
Iraqi national Abbas Hamdalla shared with journalists that he traveled to Russia intending to reach the EU, but was instead offered a chance to serve in the Russian army.
He stated that recruits are offered pay from $500 to $3,000 per month in rear positions, with amounts increasing up to $10,000–$20,000 for those on the front lines.
They are also promised Russian citizenship and compensation for families of fallen soldiers.
It is estimated that approximately 1,000 Iraqis have joined Russian units, with around 200 already killed.
Families of the deceased report returned bodies.
Furthermore, Russia uses Telegram to recruit and contract young men from Iraq, Egypt, and Algeria through travel agencies or intermediaries, with contracts drafted in Russian.
These activities raise serious concerns about security and violations of international norms, with calls for increased vigilance and condemnation of such practices that undermine global stability.