Russia is not unique in attracting foreigners to supplement its forces. A significant number of foreigners, including Americans, are fighting for Ukraine.
The Russian military continues to recruit foreign mercenaries to fight in Ukraine. Although the overall number of foreigners fighting on behalf of Russia is small compared to the needs and casualties the Russian forces are taking on a daily basis in Ukraine, it remains a critical source of stopgap manpower for the Kremlin.
A Guide to Russia’s Foreign Mercenary Units
According to a recent report by iStories, an independent Russian media outlet, the Russian military recruited more than 1,500 foreign nationals from Moscow between April 2023 and the end of May 2024 to participate in the Kremlin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine. In terms of origin, the majority of mercenaries came from South and East Asia (771 men), followed by the former states of the Soviet Union (523 men) and Africa (72 men). Overall, citizens of more than 48 foreign countries have enlisted in the Russian forces.
“Russian military recruitment of foreign nationals is probably largely non-systematic, with most attracted to sign contracts on the basis of financial incentives and a prospective pathway to Russian citizenship,” the British Ministry of Defence assessed in its latest intelligence estimate on the Ukrainian conflict.
“It is likely that many foreign nations are recruited through Moscow due to the city’s higher signing-on bonuses, and relative international accessibility,” the British Ministry of Defence added.
Overall, however, the number of foreign mercenaries in the Russian service is inconsequential compared to the overall strength of the Russian military. The Kremlin has approximately 600,000 troops in active combat against Ukraine—meaning that even if all 1,500 mercenaries were deployed there, they would make up only 0.25 percent of the total.
“Foreign nationals almost certainly make up a very small proportion of the Russian Armed Forces’ total recruitment numbers, with a significantly greater emphasis placed on recruiting from within Russia,” the British Ministry of Defence added.
And Russia is not unique in attracting foreigners to supplement its forces. A significant number of foreigners, including Americans, are fighting for Ukraine.
“Nonetheless, some recruitment of foreign nationals will almost certainly continue in the medium term as Russia maintains its current recruitment strategy, intended to replace heavy battlefield losses without resorting to a second wave of mobilisation,” the British Ministry of Defence concluded.
Russia’s Foreign Recruitment Helps Stave Off Another Draft
Avoiding a second wave of mobilization is key for Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the first wave of mobilization back in 2022, an estimated one million men fled the country to avoid enlistment. Moreover, three years of heavy casualties have depleted Russian manpower reserves of other recruitment pools. As such, another wave of mobilization would have to tap on men from Moscow and St. Petersburg, two communities that have largely been unaffected by the war owing to their political importance—and the risk that street demonstrations there might undermine Putin’s power. Conversely, the poorer and less connected regions of Russia have seen far higher enlistment rates.
In addition to foreign mercenaries, the Russian military has received reinforcements from North Korea, in the form of a contingent of approximately 15,000 men in total. Initially, Pyongyang sent Moscow around 11,000 men to fight alongside the Russian military. Tactical setbacks and massive casualties led the North Korean government to deploy an additional 4,000 men. Importantly, the North Koreans do not join the Russian military like the foreign mercenaries, but rather operate alongside it. Also, Pyongyang’s troops have so far restricted their fighting to the Kursk Oblast inside Russia, where Ukraine launched an incursion in August 2024; they have yet to fight inside Ukraine proper.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Shutterstock / Ira.foto.2024.
