Russia, with support from Iran, is actively recruiting mercenaries from the Middle East to fight in Ukraine, Ukrainska Pravda reports, citing intelligence sources. 

Moscow has turned to foreign mercenaries to offset shortages in its regular forces, placing them in frontline roles where they are viewed as more expendable than regular soldiers.

Recruits are being drawn from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen and other countries in the region, the report said. Some of those targeted include former members of the militant group Islamic State (ISIS), raising security concerns.

Mercenaries are reportedly being offered payments of $3,000 to $8,000 and the prospect of Russian citizenship after six months of service.

According to the report, fighters are transferred through illegal migration and trade routes along four main directions: via Iran to Armenia and Georgia; via Iran to Azerbaijan; via Iran through Central Asia; and from Afghanistan through Central Asia.

Authorities in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Central Asian states have recently detained migrants attempting to cross borders illegally. Their communications indicated coordination with Russian contacts and specific promises related to military service, the report said.

One Iraqi national, identified as Amir Wisam Jwad, born in 2006, was detained during an attempted border crossing. Documents indicated he had signed a contract with Russia’s Defence Ministry to join a unit referred to as “Baghdad.” The agreement was said to have been arranged through a Russian official and included payment and citizenship guarantees.

Moscow’s expanding global recruitment drive

This Middle East operation represents an escalation in Russia’s global recruitment drive, which now spans at least 21 countries according to intelligence sources. The BBC has confirmed over 523 foreign mercenaries killed fighting for Russia from 28 countries, with the highest numbers from Central Asian nations.

Recent intelligence indicates nearly 20,000 Cuban mercenaries are fighting alongside Russian forces, representing the second-largest foreign contingent after Russian recruits themselves.

Recruitment targeting vulnerable populations

The operation particularly targets economically desperate individuals in conflict-affected regions. Iraq, Syria, and other Middle Eastern countries ravaged by years of warfare provide ready pools of potential recruits, including former combatants with ISIS and other armed groups.

Russia’s recruitment strategy mirrors patterns seen elsewhere, where Moscow views mercenaries as “expendable” according to leaked audio recordings. Russian officials have described foreign fighters as “second-rate infantry” whose primary purpose is exhausting Ukrainian forces before regular Russian troops advance.

Russia is seeking to involve Laos in its war against Ukraine under the pretense of humanitarian cooperation, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) claimed on July 5.

According to the agency, Moscow is organizing the deployment of a combined unit of military engineers from the Lao People's Armed Forces to Russia's Kursk Oblast, allegedly to help with demining operations.

Ukraine initially captured 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory during a cross-border offensive to Kursk Oblast but lost most of it during a Russian counteroffensive this year, which was supported by North Korean troops.

Laotian authorities have reportedly agreed to send up to 50 engineers to support Russian efforts. In addition, Laos is said to be offering free rehabilitation services to wounded Russian soldiers.

"Russia, under the guise of humanitarian rhetoric, is trying to legalize the presence of foreign military contingents on its territory, effectively using them to wage war against Ukraine," HUR said.

This comes amid broader efforts by the Kremlin to recruit foreign personnel. Russia has drawn heavily on fighters from Asia and Africa, as well as North Korea.

Ukraine has captured multiple foreigners fighting for Russian forces. an April investigation by Russian independent outlet Important Stories identified more than 1,500 foreign fighters from 48 countries who had joined Russia's war.

Laos, a landlocked Southeast Asian country bordering China, Vietnam, and Thailand, has not commented on HUR's claim. The country maintains close ties with both Moscow and its ally Beijing.