Russia Is Offering 'Lucrative Cash Bonuses' To Recruits; Tricks Soldiers Into Joining War

The Russian army is allegedly offering "lucrative" wages to recruits in hopes of getting more people to join the war in Ukraine, UK intel revealed.

In an update published by the British Ministry of Defense on Wednesday, intelligence officials said politicians in Russia have offered "lucrative cash bonuses" to potential Army Corps recruits who will receive the pay once they are deployed to Ukraine. The recruits are thought to be from "volunteer" battalions forming across Russia.

"Russian regional politicians have confirmed that potential 3 AC recruits are being offered lucrative cash bonuses once they deploy to Ukraine," the British intelligence update read.

"Russia likely plans to resource a large proportion of 3 AC from newly formed 'volunteer' battalions, which are being raised across the country, and which group together recruits from the same areas."

The British Ministry of Defense noted that the Russian army is recruiting men up to 50 years old. Recruits are only required to have middle-school education.

Apart from offering lucrative deals, the Russian army has also been accused of tricking soldiers into joining the war. On one occasion, an unnamed soldier said his unit had been on a warship off the Syrian coast conducting military drills when they were sent to the war in Ukraine, adding that no one asked whether they were prepared to take part in the conflict.

The soldier said he tried to leave the war by writing a resignation letter. However, his commanders refused to accept it.

"I lost all my friends in fighting, and I'm in a very depressed state. I'm 21 years old, and I want to live so much!" the soldier said, as per Telegraph.

In another case, at least 140 Russian soldiers were thrown in jail in eastern Ukraine after they refused to take part in the war.

"As a result of what I believe were tactical and strategic mistakes made by my commanders ... and their total disregard for human life ... I made the decision not to continue in the military operation," Vladimir, one of the soldiers who was detained for refusing to join the war, told The Guardian.

Vladimir said he was detained on July 19 with 25 other soldiers from his unit who also refused to go back to the battlefield. Vladimir added that they were guarded by members of the notorious Wagner Group who refused to give them food.