What are known as Russian volunteer battalions are recruited soldiers from the Federal Subjects of Russia. They have a strong local flavour. These recruits tend to be motivated by patriotism and lucre, as signing bonuses are often extraordinary.[1]
A number of volunteer battalions were formed after the need for more manpower became apparent during the Special Military Operation in Ukraine.[1] These battalions, in order "to avoid the mistakes made with the Wagner Group of granting too much autonomy to its leadership.. operate under the umbrella of either the Russian MoD or Rosgvardia.[2]
In July 2022 the process was formalized, and 40 Federal Subjects of Russia contributed each a battalion of 400 men.[3][4][5]
In November 2023 volunteer battalions from Bashkortostan, Chuvashia, Tatarstan and Orenburg regions were seen affiliated with the 72nd Motorized Rifle Brigade around Bakhmut.[6] The Mari El Republic, one of the poorest regions, contributes disproportionately to the casualties in Ukraine.[7] The Buryatia battalion lost near Petropavlivka in Kharkiv Oblast between 180 and 200 soldiers in August 2022.[8]
In April 2023 the battalion from the Sakha Republic, or Yakutia, was seen in Zaporizhzhia Oblast near Enerhodar.[8]
In May 2023 a battalion from Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug–Yugra headed by Dmitry Aksenov, a regional MP, saw action during the Battle of Avdiivka.[8]
The FSR volunteers were analyzed by the Jamestown Foundation in April 2024.[9] In April 2024 Bashkir volunteers were paid a one-off bonus of 400,000 rubles. The Bashkir "battalion’s core members come from the Special Rapid Response Unit (SOBR), Special Purposes Mobile Unit (SPMU), Federal Penitentiary Service, as well as Rosgvardia (Russian National Guard) and include paratroopers, border guards, and private security contractors."[2] In Buryatia the bonus was at 100,000 rubles in October 2022.[8]
The regions had difficulty with money flows in August 2024, when the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk occurred.[10]