Reliance on mercenaries allows governments to disguise the costs of war to the public but can lead to issues of control and accountability. Mercenaries offer a way to avoid public backlash by using them instead of regular soldiers, as people are generally less concerned about their deaths. However, this strategy can backfire when mercenaries turn against their employers, leading to challenges in maintaining control and ensuring safety. A notable example is when the Wagner group, a mercenary group, marched on Moscow leading Putin to deploy military force against them. This incident highlights the risks associated with a heavy dependence on mercenaries in conflicts.
Desperately low on troops for its protracted war with Ukraine, the Russian military is relying on men from countries like India to fill its ranks. Journalist Shalu Yadav tells the story of a man who was tricked into joining the army and managed to escape.
This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers, and guest-hosted by Haleema Shah.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
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