Foreign Mercenaries Seen in St. Petersburg – Putin Legalizes Their Recruitment

The Atesh guerrilla movement has reported the presence of foreign mercenaries at a Russian Air Defense Forces unit located near St. Petersburg, citing what it calls mounting signs of a manpower crisis within the Russian military.

“During reconnaissance of military unit #26934, located at 14 Krasnoselskoye Shosse in St. Petersburg, an Atesh agent observed Black servicemen undergoing active air defense training,” the group wrote on Telegram.

According to Atesh, regular Russian personnel from the unit have been sent to the front, with their positions in the rear now being filled by individuals “who had never previously served in such units.”

The partisans suggest that Moscow is using foreign mercenaries or mobilized non-Russian citizens to compensate for massive personnel losses at the front.

Despite official records indicating that the military unit has been legally dissolved, Atesh says the facility remains fully operational and is linked to both the Russian Aerospace Forces and helicopter units.

The site also reportedly includes underground structures and restricted technical areas, suggesting a possible strategic role.

“Atesh continues to monitor the unit’s activities. All collected intelligence has already been passed to the Ukrainian Defense Forces,” the group said.

The report comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin recently signed a decree allowing foreigners to serve in the Russian Armed Forces during mobilization.

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‘Saving Kyiv Regime Is Not Our Plan’: Putin Rejects Ukraine Proposal To Limit Long-Range Strikes

Speaking to a Russian state television interviewer, Putin said Ukraine had suggested a mutual halt to long-range strikes as a step toward de-escalation.

Previously, this was only permitted in times of emergency or martial law, as well as armed conflict, according to the Russian media.

The new law also permits highly qualified specialists who have reached the maximum age limit to extend contracts with Russian intelligence and security agencies, including the FSB.

On July 7, Putin signed a law allowing stateless individuals to serve in the armed forces under contract until the end of wartime or martial law.

Western analysts say these steps are part of broader efforts to replenish military ranks without triggering a second wave of mobilization.

In April, the UK Ministry of Defense said Russia had recruited over 1,500 foreigners between April 2023 and May 2024, mostly from South and East Asia (771), post-Soviet states (523), and African countries (72).

Many of these individuals reportedly joined for financial incentives or on the promise of Russian citizenship.

The British report noted that Russia’s foreign recruitment drive lacks a clear structure but is likely to continue in the medium term to avoid the need for further formal mobilization at home.