Russia fills frontline ranks with foreign mercenaries amid manpower crisis - video
Photo: Russians recruiting mercenaries worldwide (Getty Images)
Problems with personnel in the Russian army are forcing Moscow to recruit mercenaries from around the world. This raises questions about the already absurd claim of the "war to defend the Russian world," reports the Russian Telegram channel Rospartizan.
The channel posted a video showing recent reinforcements to Russia's 102nd Motor Rifle Regiment.
"China, Kenya, Colombia, Bangladesh, Iran. Also Caucasians and a few 'Orthodox,'" the caption said.
In the video, a person with a camera asks where the new recruits came from. Among them are people from the Russian republics such as Ingushetia and Dagestan. There are also recruits from Kenya, Iran, China, Colombia, Ghana, Egypt, and Bangladesh, who have "strengthened the ranks" of Putin's guard.
Warning: The video contains profanity.
Judging by the video, mercenaries are being recruited from all over the world. These fighters appear to be of questionable quality. This likely indicates a severe personnel shortage and recruitment problems for the enemy.
Notably, this regiment is deployed to the hotspots of the Russia-Ukraine war. The number of volunteers willing to fight from within Russia is declining.
Details about Russia's 102nd Motor Rifle Regiment
The 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (102nd MRR, military unit 91706) is a tactical formation of Russia's Ground Forces. It is part of the 150th Guards Motorized Rifle Division and is based in the settlement of Persiyanovsky, Rostov region.
The regiment was formed in November 2018. It was named the "Slonim-Pomeranian Red Banner Order of Suvorov and Kutuzov Regiment."
At the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it suffered heavy losses in the battles for Mariupol. Afterwards, it participated in the capture of Popasna, Bakhmut, and Marinka. Since the spring of last year, it has fought for Chasiv Yar.
On April 16, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded it the title "Guards."
The Russian media reports that Moscow recruited over 400,000 people on contract in 2024. Effectively, about 1,000 people are sent to the war against Ukraine daily.
According to a British intelligence report, from April 2023 to May 2024, Russia recruited more than 1,500 foreigners.
Notably, dozens of foreign mercenaries are in Ukrainian captivity. Among them are soldiers with Chinese and North Korean citizenship. It was reported that a pair of North Korean soldiers did not take part in the largest prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, which took place May 23–25 on a 1,000-for-1,000 basis.
