Why Russia’s Foreign Mercenaries Experiment is a big FLOP

Summary

This video script delves into the narrative of foreign recruits in the Russian army amidst the Russo-Ukrainian War, debunking mainstream media claims of mass desertions and mutinies. It highlights the tragic stories of individuals from poor countries, lured by financial incentives, often with no military experience. The script scrutinizes the actual numbers of foreign fighters, their backgrounds, and the diplomatic complications arising from their recruitment, concluding that Russia's attempt to form an 'International Legion' has largely failed.

Takeaways

• 📰 The mainstream media narrative suggests that Russia is suffering high casualties and is recruiting thousands of foreigners to fill the gaps in its army.
• 🌍 Foreign recruits come from various countries including Cuba, Somalia, Nepal, India, and Sierra Leone, with reports of them being detained in Ukraine.
• 🏥 The Russian army is reportedly facing significant losses, with some sources claiming an average of 913 soldiers a day, leading to the recruitment of foreign mercenaries.
• 💰 Many foreign recruits join the Russian Armed Forces due to financial reasons, aiming to support their families back home.
• 🗣️ Language barriers exist among these recruits, with many not speaking Russian, which could hinder their effectiveness in combat.
• 🤔 The video suggests that the actual number of foreign recruits is far less than what is reported in the media, questioning the narrative of mass recruitment.
• 🇸🇾 The Syrian involvement in the conflict has been exaggerated, with only 141 names on a Ukrainian list, contrary to rumors of 20,000 Syrian and Libyan mercenaries.
• 🇨🇺 Cuban involvement is highlighted, with some joining for ideological reasons and others due to financial incentives, such as over $2,000 a month and potential Russian citizenship.
• 🇳🇵 There are reports of Nepali recruits expressing a desire to return home, with some alleging poor conditions and lack of proper training.
• 🇮🇳 Indian and Sri Lankan recruits are mentioned, with some having been misled about the nature of their contracts and the risks involved.
• 🏳️‍🌈 The video concludes that Russia's attempt to form an 'International Legion' has not been successful, pointing to issues in recruitment processes and the challenges of integrating diverse foreign fighters.

Q & A

What is the narrative being discussed in the video script regarding Russian army recruitment?

The narrative discussed is that the Russian army is allegedly suffering high casualties and is desperately recruiting thousands of foreigners from various countries to fill in the gaps, including prisoners of war from Cuba, Somalia, Nepal, India, and Sierra Leone.

What is the average loss of Russian soldiers being reported in the script?

The script mentions that the German media reports an average loss of 913 soldiers a day.

What is the main motivation for foreign recruits joining the Russian Armed Forces according to the script?

The main motivation for most foreign recruits is financial, as they join to help provide for their families, often coming from poor countries.

What is the actual number of foreign recruits reported by Media Zona as of July 12th?

According to Media Zona, as of July 12th, 220 foreigners were reported and confirmed as killed in action (KIA).

What was the rumor regarding Syrian and Libyan mercenaries in the early months of the war?

The rumor was that Russia was going to deploy up to 20,000 Syrian and Libyan mercenaries in the Donbass region.

How many Cuban soldiers were actually recruited by Russia, according to the Ukrainian media Apostro?

According to the Ukrainian media Apostro, the main intelligence directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine published a list of 141 mercenaries from Syria, which is far less than the rumored 20,000.

What is the average monthly salary in Cuba, and how much do Cuban volunteers in the Russian armed forces earn?

The average monthly salary in Cuba is less than $50, while Cuban volunteers in the Russian armed forces can earn over $2,000 a month.

What is the estimated number of foreign recruits in the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces since the beginning of the war?

The script estimates that there are around 1,500 to 2,000 foreign recruits, with a maximum stretch of 3,000.

How do Central Asian recruits typically end up in the Russian military?

Central Asian recruits typically end up in the Russian military either through direct recruitment in their home country by a Russian Human Resources company called Meos, or by being recruited from prisons or illegal situations in the Russian Federation.

What is the situation with Chinese citizens fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war?

While there are Chinese citizens who have signed contracts with the Ministry of Defense to fight in the Ukraine war, the number is not as high as some media outlets suggest, and Chinese citizens are prohibited by law from engaging in military activities for foreign countries.

What is the reported number of Nepali citizens fighting in the Russian ranks and the situation of their recruitment?

The script mentions that there are varying reports, but it is estimated that between 700 to 200 Nepali citizens were recruited into the Russian ranks, with many joining for financial reasons and receiving inadequate training.

What are the experiences of Indian and Sri Lankan recruits in the Russian Armed Forces?

The experiences vary, with some recruits being promised high salaries and Russian citizenship, but facing harsh conditions, lack of communication, and even death in the conflict. The script mentions that a few Indian and Sri Lankan recruits have been confirmed KIA.

What is the situation with African recruits in the Russian army?

African recruits, many of whom were students in Russia, have also joined the Russian army, with some being misled about the nature of their enlistment. The script mentions that 249 men from 14 African countries went to fight in Ukraine.