Russia is outsourcing military recruitment to "avoid unpopular domestic mobilization measures," says UK MoD.
The Kremlin wants to fill the growing gaps in army ranks foreigners and migrant workers.
Russia's military casualties are approaching 300,000, say US officials.
The campaign to exploit migrant workers and enlist men from neighboring countries precedes Russia's upcoming presidential election in 2024.
Russia's military casualties are approaching 300,000, of which as many as 120,000 are deaths and up to 180,000 are injuries, US officials said last month.
Persons:
OLGA MALTSEVA
Organizations:
MoD, Kremlin, Service, UK Ministry of Defence, Ministry, Getty Images, Ukraine, Central
Locations:
Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Saint Petersburg, AFP, Kazakhstani