Personnel problems in the Russian army

Berlin A gray prison courtyard appears on the somewhat fuzzy mobile phone video. As the camera pans to the right, it reveals a larger group of inmates lined up in a long line. The video was apparently recorded in a prison in Adygea in the North Caucasus in southern Russia. The elite mercenary unit Wagner recruited 300 prisoners here alone for the war in Ukraine, writes Kremlin critic Igor Sushko above his post on Twitter.

It is not possible to verify whether the recordings are genuine. But it is very likely that they correspond to reality. Because there are increasing signs that the Kremlin is having to resort to ever more unconventional means in its shadow mobilization.

In its current Ukraine update, the British secret service also assesses prison recruitment as possible. “If true, this move likely indicates difficulties in replacing the significant Russian losses,” the statement said.