Russia launches new recruitment drive after Duma elections

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is preparing a new large-scale recruitment drive following its recent Duma elections, with a focus on attracting foreigners, including labor migrants, to fight in the war. The recruitment is deemed urgent due to heavy losses in the Russian army. Moscow is reportedly offering financial incentives and accelerated citizenship to migrants and mercenaries from abroad to avoid domestic discontent. Zelensky stated that 10,000 additional North Korean soldiers are expected to join the 8,000 already active. Recruitment efforts target labor migrants from former Soviet states like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as young men in African countries, often through deceptive promises of civilian jobs. Ukrainian security agencies have identified nearly 29,000 foreigners from 135 countries fighting for Russia, while Moscow denies plans for a general mobilization.