Russia is recruiting mercenaries from Algeria for the war in Ukraine: evidence from the GUR
19 December 2024 02:44
Russia is actively recruiting mercenaries from Algeria for the war against Ukraine. One of them was recently killed during fighting in Zaporizhzhia region. This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
“On December 15, 2024, a Russian mercenary from Algeria, Taleb Nabil, who fought against Ukraine as part of the army of the aggressor state of Russia, was killed during the fighting in Zaporizhzhia region. Nabil was recruited by Russians from the Russian military contingent in Algeria in early March 2024. In June-July, the Algerian already joined the hostilities against Ukraine in Donbas,” the DIU explained.
In September, the man informed his relatives that he was “going to war deep into Ukrainian territory.” The GUR writes that the sister of the killed mercenary claims that the Russians recruited her brother to fight against Ukraine by deception.
At first, his friend said they would be sent to Europe, and he wanted to go to Europe. But then Nabil realized that his friend had deceived him, and he was only offered to sign a contract with the Russian army for a year. They promised that after a year of service he would be granted Russian citizenship and a monthly salary. In the end, they flew from Algeria directly to Russia,” the woman said.
According to her, there were two other mercenaries from Algeria with Nabil in the Russian occupation forces, and they were also killed. DIU officials noted that the number of Algerian mercenaries in the Russian occupation forces is being established and their identification is ongoing.
As of December 18, 2024, 22 Russian mercenaries from Algeria have been identified.
