Report from the BBC on Russian volunteers in Ukraine. They say volunteers can either sign a contract with the Russian military, with Rosgvardia in Chechnya, with LNR/DNR forces (less common because the pay is worse), or join Wagner.
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The BBC says that volunteer units are taking part in fighting in some of the most kinetic areas in Ukraine and volunteers generally receive 3-7 days of training. One of the volunteers interviewed said there was no training in tactics and that many volunteers are over 45. 2/
Volunteers who join Rosgvardia in Chechnya were provided better training at the Spetsnaz University in Gudermes and signed 3-month contracts. The Rosgvardia volunteer fought in Rubizhne and around Severodonetsk and said Ukrainian mortar and MLRS fire was effective. 3/
According to the BBC's sources, Wagner as well as volunteer MoD and Rosgvardia units are now Russia's primary assault forces in Ukraine. 4/
They identified at least 155 Russian volunteers who have been killed in Ukraine. Of these 155, 57% of them were 40 years old or older and 25% are over 50 years old or older. 5/
One of the main points is that the MoD is offering a sizeable paycheck for 3 months contracts and, apparently, are offering to help pay off loans or debt. Volunteers in Nizhnekamsk are being offered 200k rubles a month, which is 5 times the average monthly salary for the city. 6/
