Inside Russia's Recruitment Tactics: How Voevoda Lures Soldiers for War

The private recruitment sector in Russia has seen a significant surge, particularly with companies like Voevoda capitalizing on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Established in 2014 by Vidadi Bayramov, Voevoda initially focused on combat training before pivoting to recruitment in 2024, which resulted in a staggering revenue increase to over 700 million rubles within a year.

Voevoda operates similarly to a multi-level marketing scheme, enticing recruiters with the promise of high earnings. Recruiters can earn substantial fees based on the region of their recruits, with payments ranging from 150,000 rubles for those from Yaroslavl to a remarkable 1 million rubles for Moscow residents. The recruitment process employs targeted ads, especially on Telegram, to attract candidates.

Anna Romanchuk and Yekaterina Lazareva, both part of Voevoda's team, illustrate the diverse backgrounds of those involved in this recruitment drive. While Romanchuk specializes in recruiting foreigners, Lazareva, with her banking experience and interest in astrology, trains recruiters on persuasion tactics. The company encourages a cold, military tone during initial contacts with potential recruits.

By leveraging marketing agencies, Voevoda can obtain phone numbers for potential recruits, with basic contact information costing as little as 10 rubles. This method allows recruiters to sign contracts with a low barrier to entry, including candidates who may have disabilities or criminal records, barring serious offenses.

The financial incentive for recruiters is significant, with some earning millions of rubles for their efforts. Voevoda even facilitates the recruitment of foreigners, providing necessary paperwork and advising them to keep their military contracts confidential. This intricate network of recruitment highlights the lengths to which Russia will go to bolster its military ranks amidst ongoing conflict.

Source: meduza.io