Russia apparently needs more fighters in the Ukraine war.
In his own words, Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is now starting a “recruitment service”.
Moscow – In the Ukraine war, the Russian army seems to be running out of soldiers.
The Russian private army Wagner is now apparently in an open letter recruiting volunteers for deployment in the war zone for a monthly salary of 240,000 rubles (around 2,700 euros).
Success bonuses are also promised, said Wagner.
The chief of the army, Yevgeny Prigozhin, confirmed on Monday (April 10) that a letter from his "recruitment service", which also included phone numbers, is genuine.
We are looking for men between the ages of 21 and 60.
A completed military service is not a requirement, it says.
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Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin (archive image)
© IMAGO/Sergei Bobylev
War in Ukraine: Wagner boss Prigozhin himself on the phone to recruit
During the recruiting process, Prigozhin is said to even pick up the phone himself, as
focus.de
reports: "Yes, hello, I'm listening.
As far as employment at Wagner PMC is concerned, we have different professions.
Assault soldiers, tank soldiers, artillerymen, drone operators, radio operators and so on,” says the Wagner boss in a phone call, a video of which is circulating on social media.
In the phone call from Prigozhin, it is, among other things, about different branches of service, as well as the age and origin of potential soldiers.
In addition, the physical condition of candidates seems to play an important role: “Can you do pull-ups?
Pushups?
Can you run?” the Wagner boss asks on the phone.
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
Ukraine War: Wagner pays his soldiers generously
Wagner recently lost many fighters in the battle for Bachmut in eastern Ukraine, and he is therefore urgently dependent on fresh personnel.
Prigozhin also recently announced that conscription offices would be set up across the country.
The basic salary at Wagner is therefore well above the offer of the Russian Ministry of Defense, which promises at least 195,000 rubles a month.
At the command level there are up to 243,000 rubles.
That's a multiple of the average wage in the country under Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.
In the Ukraine, soldiers receive the equivalent of almost 3,000 euros directly at the front.
For comparison: The national average wage was around 370 euros in Ukraine last year.
War in Ukraine: Wagner advertises for new soldiers by letter
Wagner promises his volunteers in Russia and around the world modern combat uniforms, the best equipment and armament, as well as health and life insurance and preparation by highly qualified instructors.
Hundreds of thousands of Russians are already active, according to the letter signed by "Hero of the Russian Federation" Andrei Troshev.
“I call on you to join the ranks of the private military company Wagner and take your place.
We have made a name for ourselves as people of action and as a collective that is geared towards effective work and victory.”
(dpa/lp)
List of rubrics: © IMAGO/Sergei Bobylev