Russia recruiting Nepalese and Cuban mercenaries for war in Ukraine: Intelligence uncovers reasons
Andrii Yusov, representative of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (Photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The Russian Federation continues to recruit foreigners for the war in Ukraine because it is cheaper and more advantageous than mobilizing Russians. This includes Nepalese and Cubans, according to a statement from Andrii Yusov, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.
According to him, there is information that the Russian Federation is recruiting residents of Sierra Leone, Cuba, and Nepal. These are countries where citizens have low incomes, so Russia offers men there easy and quick earnings without explaining where they will be sent.
"It is very important that most governments of the countries where the work of Russian recruiters' networks is recorded publicly condemn such activities, even diplomatically issue statements. But in countries with low incomes, the 1.5 - 2 thousand that the aggressor offers, along with the promise that it will not involve participation in combat operations, but some kind of security, may seem attractive to some people," Yusov says.
Nepalese mercenaries in Ukraine
It was previously reported that politician and activist from Kathmandu, Kritu Bhandari, became the leader of a group of family members of Nepalese men fighting in Russia.
According to her, in recent weeks, about 2,000 families have contacted her asking for help in contacting their missing loved ones or returning those who are still in touch.
At the same time, the Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that four Nepalese fighters are currently being held in Ukraine as prisoners of war.
Prominent Nepalese opposition MP and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bimala Rai Paudyal, said on Thursday in the upper house of the district parliament that between 14,000 and 15,000 Nepalese are fighting on the front lines, citing testimony from men who returned from the combat zone, and called on the Russian government to provide these figures.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in turn, did not respond to CNN's questions about the number of Nepalese recruited by the Russian army and how many of them have already been killed.
Russians recruit foreigners for war against Ukraine
As reported earlier, Russian troops were experiencing a shortage of military personnel to fill combat losses, so they were trying to enlist foreign volunteers for service.
In particular, the terrorist state has been recruiting citizens of Cuba for the war in Ukraine. The latter were promised high wages, bonuses, and vacations.
Also, at the beginning of January, Nepal stopped issuing permits to its citizens to work in Russia and Ukraine. At least 10 Nepalese soldiers were killed while serving in the Russian army.
