Russia Turns to African and Asian Recruits for Frontline Assaults After Heavy Losses in Ukraine

Russian forces are deploying foreign recruits from African and Asian countries in infantry assaults near Huliaipole in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, as mounting battlefield losses force Russian commanders to rotate and replace frontline units.

According to Ukraine’s 7th Air Assault Corps on October 31, Russian troops have suffered approximately 900 killed and wounded over the past week in the Huliaipole sector, nearly 150 more than during the previous reporting period.

The Ukrainian military said the figure represents the highest weekly Russian casualty count recorded in the area over the past two months.

The losses have reportedly prompted Russian commanders to reorganize their forces and replace depleted formations. Within Russia’s 5th Combined Arms Army, personnel from the 60th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade are reportedly replacing elements of the 57th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade.

Ukrainian commanders expect Russian forces to attempt to increase the intensity of their assaults once additional personnel arrive. Despite these changes, Russian troops continue to rely primarily on small infantry groups of one to five soldiers attempting to infiltrate Ukrainian defensive positions.

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Category

War in Ukraine

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The 7th Air Assault Corps also reported identifying foreign nationals among Russian assault troops, including recruits from countries across Africa and Asia.

According to the Ukrainian military, recruitment schemes frequently involve promises of civilian employment or relatively safe military contracts. Upon arrival in Russia, foreign recruits allegedly have their passports and mobile phones confiscated, leaving them without outside communication before being forcibly deployed to frontline positions.

Earlier, on October 29, it was reported that nearly 80% of foreign nationals captured while fighting for Russia want to return to the country, although Moscow is largely unwilling to take them back. Ukrainian officials also revealed that nearly half of the captured foreigners surveyed admitted they had known they were joining Russia’s military to fight against Ukraine.

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