- A strange Russian-subtitled video appears to be trying to recruit US soldiers to fight in Ukraine.
- One Russian expert told Insider that the video could be linked to the Wagner group.
- Russian paramilitaries announced this week that they had stopped recruiting Russian prisoners of war.
Russia may be setting its sights on new and unexpected military recruits — U.S. veterans — to help tackle the struggling war in Ukraine.
As both Russia and Ukraine prepare for their major offensive after a slow but violent winter comes an explicit Russian recruitment video aimed at American citizens. As it seeks to turn the tide of a hitherto unsuccessful war in neighboring Ukraine, it rests its hopes on the recruitment of tens of thousands of new recruits.
in a minute and a half Video clips trending on social media These days, as Russian subtitles tumble into imagery of US wars and global turmoil, a heavily accented Russian voice seems to speak directly to a disillusioned American veteran. seems to speak directly to
“You were a national hero and had your best years in the military. You dreamed of defeating evil and you dreamed of doing so much to make America great again.” ‘,’ the narrator makes a clear reference to former President Donald Trump’s slogan.
“But in reality it was seen because of the criminal orders, the destruction of nations, the death of civilians, and the will of many families who all thought they were gods on earth – who lived under their rule.” , decides who gets destroyed,” a dramatic narration follows.
— Blackrussian (@Blackrussiantv) January 29, 2023
It’s unclear who produced the video, but an expert on U.S.-Soviet relations told Insider that the ad is a reference to Russia’s military, which has so far provided tens of thousands of soldiers to the Russian war effort in Ukraine. He said it may have been the brainchild of the Wagner Group, a militia group.
“Fool” Simon MilesAn assistant professor at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and a historian of the Soviet Union and U.S.-Soviet relations, said of the ad: “It’s very Trumpian.”
The video, which first circulated last week, emerged amid reports that Wagner had stopped recruiting prisoners due to a growing number of prisoners refusing to participate in suicide missions. The group’s founder, Evgeny Prigozhin, has confirmed that Wagner has ceased its activities. telegram statement thursday.
Official investigations suggest that tens of thousands of imprisoned prisoners were the first to offer freedom to fight, but most died during the fighting. new york times and Reuters.
Politico reported last month that the Wagner Group is expanding its influence outside Russia and launching influential activities in Africa and other parts of Europe.
The State Department did not immediately respond to insider questions about whether the government was aware of the video.
Multiple international experts said task and purposethe military press, the Wagner Group or one of its associates is likely behind the propaganda video.
“The video is a perfect fit for the high-end work the group has produced in the past.” Jason Brazakisthe director of the Center for Terrorism, Extremism, and Counter-Terrorism at the Middlebury Institute, told the outlet. we know that it is.”
Image of the Wagner Group logo in the recruitment video
on thursday telegram postPrigogine’s press service acknowledged the existence of Wagner Group’s advertisements aimed at an American audience, and after the video was released, the organization received more than 10 million applications from American citizens who wanted to participate in the Battle of Wagner. erroneously claimed that CNN He noted that the allegations were likely ironic.
It is not clear if the American ad mentioned in Prigozhin’s statement is the same video circulating online.
The video’s narration includes instinctive images and video footage of US soldiers both in training and on the battlefield, as well as far-right Ukrainian demonstrations, American protests, World War II-era Nazi soldiers, and 2021 1 May 6th Capitol Riot.
The ad accuses all nations of being “the focal point of the evil that is destroying the whole world” and suggests they are part of the “evil spectacle” spurred by the United States. increase. The ad then suggests nonsensical conclusions. “The only country fighting this evil is Russia,” says the narrator.
In one of the video stills, the Wagner Group arm patch can be seen on a Russian soldier’s uniform. Moments later, Prigogine is seen standing among the ruins of the battlefield. The ad’s final moments feature a nuclear explosion that drives the message home.
“If you’re a true patriot of the future great America, join the ranks of the Russian warriors,” said the video command.
According to Miles, it’s unlikely the organization truly believes that if the Wagner Group produced the video, it would help American veterans fill their ranks.
“Targeting Americans is largely a propaganda ploy that does not generate significant numbers,” he told an insider.
