why Moscow is seeking to recruit in Central Asia

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is an attractive destination for nationals of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia with a large Muslim majority. The city is also a refuge for those who do not want to go to the front. “To convince us to go fight in Ukraine, we were offered money. Some went to war, while others fled”relates a fashion designer who fled Russia at the start of the conflict.

Escaping the horror of the war in Ukraine

According to various rumors, Russian-speaking foreigners would be sent to the front lines. An Uzbek who worked for six years in Russia testifies having experienced a nightmare before being expelled because he was not in compliance. “In Russia, the pressure on migrants is increasing,” he admits. An independent Uzbek journalist investigated social media and discovered Russian recruitment campaigns that do not sit well with Central Asian countries.