This fall, rumors began circulating that Afghan commandos in Iran were being recruited to fight alongside the Russian military in Ukraine. Media reports citing former Afghan officers suggested that the Wagner Group, a private military contractor with close ties to the Kremlin, was behind the recruitment campaign.
Besides dire economic conditions, another motivation for volunteering seems to be a sense of betrayal. One commando who agreed to fight in Ukraine told a member of my team:
Many of the commandos are also likely to be influenced — and misinformed — by the Iranian media's pro-Russian reporting on the conflict. As one told the team:
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Besides dire economic conditions, another motivation for volunteering seems to be a sense of betrayal. One commando who agreed to fight in Ukraine told a member of my team:
It's unclear, however, how widespread these feelings are. Another Afghan commando, for instance, expressed resentment toward Russia because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s.
Many of the commandos are also likely to be influenced — and misinformed — by the Iranian media's pro-Russian reporting on the conflict. As one told the team:
It remains difficult to determine with certainty how successful the Russian recruitment effort has really been. Those volunteering seem to have the impression that many of their colleagues are also doing so.
US-trained Afghan commandos are fighting in Ukraine. Some are there for the pay. Others are there for revenge.
Some Afghans are fighting in Ukraine because they face dire economic conditions. Others are going because they feel betrayed by the US and its allies.
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