Chechen Men Kidnapped to Create “Volunteer” Battalions of Russian Federation

“The number of Russian citizens who want to go to war in Ukraine is decreasing. As a result, the Kremlin leadership is trying to recruit foreign citizens more actively to the armed forces of the Russian Federation,” reported the Defense Ministry’s main Intelligence Directorate.

According to intelligence reports, in Moscow region, to form new army units, the local leadership has instructed military commissariats and police departments to “conduct propaganda activities” targeting citizens of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Besides a financial incentive, those who agree to sign a contract and go to fight for the army of the Russian Federation against Ukraine are offered Russian citizenship.

At the same time, the formation and preparation of four battalions for the war in Ukraine continues in Chechnya. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, most of the “volunteers” in the newly formed battalions are local young men who have been kidnapped by Chechen security forces, mainly from villages. They are forced to sign contracts to participate in the Russian war in Ukraine under threat of criminal prosecution on fabricated charges or under torture.

“The practice of abducting men … for volunteer military units fighting in Ukraine, in favor of Moscow, is causing waves of discontent among the residents of Chechnya. Citizens of the republic are outraged that Kadyrov is sending Muslims to participate and die in a “foreign” war between two Christian nations – Russians and Ukrainians. Kadyrov’s policy is perceived as a betrayal of Muslims,” reported ​​the intelligence agency.

Other Topics of Interest

Shift in Ukrainian Attitudes Toward War Endurance as Belief in Russia’s Resources Grows

Between February and October 2023, the proportion of Ukrainians who believe Russia retains substantial resources for a prolonged war against Ukraine nearly doubled, rising from 22% to 49%.

In addition, an investigation by the public fund “MediaHab” shows citizens of Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries are being tricked into joining the “Wagner” Private Military Company (PMC) for combat in Ukraine.

According to “MediaHab,” announcements designed to recruit residents of Central Asian countries, in particular, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, for the Russian “Wagner” PMC have appeared on social networks under the guise of job advertisements for private security companies in Russia.