Russia turns to Kazakhstan as it desperately tries to avoid a conscription that could infuriate the population
As Ukraine’s punishing counteroffensive continues to take its toll on Russian forces, and desperate not to rouse a finnicky nation with another conscription, Russia has turned to Kazakhstan in search of soldiers, Reuters reported on Aug. 3.
Russia has launched an advertising campaign in its neighbor to the south to offer recruits a one-time payment of $5,000 to anyone willing to sign a contract to join the occupying forces.
The advertisements have been seen all over the internet and appear to be specifically targeted towards residents of Kazakhstan. The ads depict both Russian and Kazakh flags alongside the slogan “Shoulder to Shoulder.” They promise a one-time payment of 495,000 Russian rubles ($5,300) to those who sign a contract with the Russian military, as well as a monthly salary of no less than 190,000 rubles ($2,000) and undisclosed additional benefits.
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The ads direct interested individuals to a website that encourages enlistment into the Russian Army in Sakhalin Oblast of the Russian Federation. The website identifies itself as the Human Capital Development Agency of Sakhalin Oblast, an organization established by local authorities. However, when questioned about the ad’s placement, call center operators for the agency declined to comment, and the organization did not respond to email inquiries.
It’s worth noting that Kazakhstan’s legislation forbids its citizens from participating in foreign military conflicts for financial gain. Despite being a close Russian ally, the country’s government does not endorse Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukrainian territory by Russia’s occupation forces.
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Residents of other former Soviet republics in Central Asia have reported that some of their compatriots have joined the ranks of the Russian Army or Russian private military formations like the Wagner Group, said Reuters. The recruitment process apparently took place within Russian territory, where millions of migrant laborers work.
“One of my sister’s ex-husbands was killed in Lysychansk last October. One of my nephews joined the Wagner Group after serving time in a Russian prison,” said a resident of Tajikistan anonymously.
Since the major conflict began, Russian Armed Forces have suffered substantial losses in Ukraine, with nearly 248,000 military personnel reported killed, and almost 30,000 military vehicles destroyed.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
