WAGNER GROUP IS NOW RECRUITING GAMERS AGED 21 TO 35 TO FLY DRONES IN UKRAINE

Wagner recruitment posters in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Tue 20 June 2023:

Russia’s mercenary Wagner group is calling for people aged 21 to 35 with a “gaming background” to join it as drone specialists as it seeks to expand its recruitment pool following heavy losses, the Institute for the Study of War notes in its latest update on the conflict.

The group’s recruiters are posting messages on social media platforms, the thinktank said citing Russian opposition outlet Verstka, which reported that recruits needed no previous experience.

On Monday, an advertisement, posted on the Vkontakte social media site and reported by the independent news outlet Vertska, called for specialists in the management of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones.

Additional pluses were those with experience with simulators using joysticks, as well as gamers “who sit straight playing for hours.” Wagner was looking for those with a “desire to study new specialties and work around the world.”

The advertisement said that “participation in the special military operation is not obligatory,” according to Verstka.

The ISW also pointed to an audio intercept posted by Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), in which a Russian soldier discusses a new Wagner recruitment campaign launched due to heavy battlefield losses.

“The new Wagner recruitment campaign reportedly advertises training with well-prepared instructors, health and life insurance, modern equipment, and guarantees that all recruits will receive all promised payments,” the ISW wrote.

Prigozhin undermine the legitimacy of the military’s top leaders

Meanwhile, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is involved in yet “another deliberate effort to undermine the authority of the official military authorities,” in Russia, the UK’s Ministry of Defence writes in its latest intelligence update.

On Monday, “Prigozhin said that he was expecting a reply from the Russian MoD regarding a ‘contract’ of his own drafting which he had delivered to the ministry three days before,” the MoD said.

“This follows the MoD’s own ultimatum to Wagner and other ‘volunteer formations’ to sign contracts with the MoD by 01 July 2023.

“Although the content of Prigozhin’s document has not been made public, the act of him delivering it raises the stakes, and is highly likely another deliberate effort to undermine the authority of the official military authorities.

“Prigozhin’s tone towards the MoD has become unambiguously confrontational. The MoD almost certainly sees this as deeply unfortunate at a time when it is grappling with Ukraine’s counter-offensive.”

Prigozhin has been feuding with the Russian military for months, accusing it among other things of failing to provide enough ammunition to his forces. The dispute reached new heights this month when a Russian commander accused Wagner of kidnapping and torturing his soldiers.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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