British intelligence counted foreign mercenaries in Putin's army.

British intelligence: more than 1500 foreigners joined the Russian army to fight against Ukraine

According to British intelligence, from April 2023 to May 2024, Russia has recruited more than 1500 foreign citizens for military actions. The largest number of volunteers came from South and East Asia, totaling 771 people.

There were also 523 individuals from former Soviet republics and 72 individuals from African countries.

The recruitment of foreigners is of a minor organized nature, but financial incentives and the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship are the main factors for volunteers. 'Many foreign citizens are recruited through Moscow, due to higher contract bonuses and the city’s international accessibility,' the British intelligence report states.

Foreigners make up a very small part of the new recruits to the Russian army, but the Kremlin's main focus is on mobilization within the country, British intelligence emphasizes.

Intelligence highlights that the recruitment of foreign citizens 'is almost certainly' expected to continue as Moscow attempts to compensate for significant losses on the front without a new wave of mobilization.

It is also noteworthy that Ukrainian forces detained two citizens of China who participated in the war on the side of the Russian occupying forces.