The army goes around the cities with trucks – mobile recruitment offices, handing out leaflets entitled “Contract military service – a real man’s choice”.
The Russian military is looking for mercenaries to take part in what Moscow calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine and is even using traveling trucks to recruit volunteers.
Conscription cannot take place as war has not officially been declared.
In fact, Russia offers those interested almost 3,000 dollars (2,995 euros) a month as an incentive.
A special unit parked such a truck in a central park of Rostov, a city in southern Russia, on Saturday and when its doors were opened it was revealed to be a mobile recruitment office.
Soldiers in camouflage uniforms and black balaclavas brandished their weapons at interested passers-by and handed out colorful pamphlets entitled “Contracted Military Service – A Real Man’s Choice”.
The officer in charge of the truck in Rostock said Russians and foreigners, aged 18 to 60, with at least a high school diploma are considered eligible.
“Citizens with a patriotic feeling choose to sign contracts for three or six months to participate in this special military operation,” says Major Sergei Ardashev, promising training for all.
The lowest monthly salary offered is $2,700 (€2,695), almost three times higher than the national average.
Neither Russia nor Ukraine disclose the casualties recorded by their military forces, which Western intelligence agencies estimate are in the tens of thousands on both sides.
Moscow has not updated its official death toll since March 25, when it announced 1,351 dead Russian soldiers and 3,825 wounded.
The Kremlin said last week there was no plan for a nationwide mobilization to bolster Russia’s military forces, but the truck-based recruiting initiative shows Moscow needs more men.
RES-EMP
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.