African mercenaries granted Russian passports for service in Russia’s war against Ukraine
Mercenaries from Gambia who fought on Russia’s side against Ukraine have been granted Russian citizenship. Russia demonstratively handed them passports in the temporarily occupied territory of Luhansk region.
This was reported by the Centre for Countering Disinformation.
“Media outlets in the temporarily occupied territories reported another ceremony in which Russian passports were issued to foreigners who fought on the side of the Russian Federation. This time, it concerns two citizens of Gambia who served in the Russian army,” the statement said.
According to the Centre for Countering Disinformation, Russia encourages mercenaries from other countries to take part in the war against Ukraine by offering the prospect of easily obtaining citizenship. However, such actions are largely symbolic, as cases of citizenship being granted to foreigners remain rare.
“Russia is conducting mass recruitment in African countries. People are promised civilian jobs and high salaries, but after signing contracts they are forcibly sent to the front. Stories about these ‘new Russians’ are merely a smokescreen designed to conceal the scale of deception and the cynical exploitation of foreigners,” the Centre added.
Experts note that the majority of foreigners recruited into the Russian army are killed in the war and receive no legal protection from Russia.
Earlier reports stated that mercenaries from Nepal are deserting the Russian army en masse due to enormous losses suffered by occupying forces in so-called “meat-grinder assaults” and the brutal treatment by Russian field commanders.
