Irkutsk’s Record $18K Payouts for Foreign Recruits Highlight Escalating Coercion in Russian Military
Siberia’s Irkutsk region has introduced a record 1.5 million ruble ($17,800) commission for recruiters who enlist foreign nationals, a fourfold increase that reflects broader regional efforts to meet military quotas. This financial incentive coincides with an Amnesty International report accusing Russia of using deceptive and coercive practices to recruit vulnerable migrants, which the organization classifies as human trafficking.
