Russia Recruiting Wagner Veterans to Fight Ukraine—Allegedly Offering New Contracts

Russia is allegedly trying to recruit Wagner veterans. This effort was revealed by some former Wagner paramilitary group fighters, as well as military bloggers.

They claim that the Russian military is asking for the assistance of Wagner veterans to fight the Ukraine troops in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

But, will they accept Russia's offer after the recent issue between the Russian military and their deceased leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin?

Russia Recruiting Wagner Veterans to Fight Ukraine

(Photo: STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images) A man poses with a flag of Wagner group mounted on top of an old tank exhibited at the Leninist Komsomol park in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, on October 1, 2023, to mark 40 days since the death of Wagner private mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin as per Orthodox tradition.

According to The Japan Times' latest report, military bloggers and ex-Wagner members claimed that the Kremlin is not just recruiting Wagner veterans to strengthen its forces in Ukraine.

The Russian government is also recruiting them to salvage some of the mercenary group's fighting potential, as well as avoid another mobilization in the wake of Prigozhin's mutiny and death.

This latest detail about Russia's efforts to win against Ukraine was also confirmed by four former Russian inmates, who worked with the PMC Wagner in eastern Ukraine.

They shared that the Russian military called and messaged them regarding the offer; military contracts were even allegedly offered to them during the past few weeks.

Three of them revealed more specific details, such as being urged to join the Rosgvardia; the militarized national guard of Russia.

Other Details About Russia Wagner Recruitment Effort

(Photo: VLADIMIR NIKOLAYEV/AFP via Getty Images) This photograph taken on August 24, 2023, shows a flag bearing the logo of the private mercenary group Wagner as it flutters in the wind at a makeshift memorial in front of the PMC Wagner office in Novosibirsk, southern Russia. Russian state-run news agencies on August 23, 2023, said that Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The Guardian reported that it used a Russian phone number to contact some recruitment centers that are trying to attract former Wagner troops.

Based on their conversations, the Wagner recruitment effort in Russia started in October.

"We are urgently looking for new people this month. You will fight as Wagner but the contracts will be signed with Rosgvardia," said veteran Wagner soldier Andrei Bulgakov.

He also shared that the Rosgvardia would be commanded by Prigozhin's son, Pavel (Pavel Yevgenyevich), as a sign of respect.

Several Wagner recruiters, who are working in Volgograd and Moscow, also confirmed the role of Prigozhin's son in the Rosgvardia recruitment process.

However, information about Pavel Prigozhin is still limited. As of writing, Russian President Vladimir Putin hasn't confirmed all the shared details regarding the rumored Wagner veteran recruitment efforts of his military.