Russian Embassy in Tehran Denies False Recruitment Ads on Social Media
The Russian Embassy in Tehran has categorically denied the authenticity of a social media advertisement circulating in Iran, which claims to invite Iranian citizens to join the Russian armed forces to fight in Ukraine in exchange for monetary rewards.
This official denial was issued in a statement on the embassy's Telegram channel, where it noted that unknown individuals are attempting to profit from a false message recently posted online. According to the statement, the message allegedly targets Iranian men and youth aged 18 to 45, inviting them to sign contracts to serve in what is referred to as a "special military operation zone"—a reference to Ukraine—for substantial sums of money.
The embassy warned in its statement about the nature of these messages, asserting that "this message and any similar communications are entirely false and criminal in nature," reiterating that "neither the embassy nor any official Russian entity is associated with this announcement."
The statement urged Iranian citizens to "immediately report any messages or announcements purportedly from the embassy to security authorities and the police in Iran," cautioning against the risk of falling victim to scams. The embassy also emphasized that any official communication is conducted solely through its trusted and known channels, advising the public not to engage with announcements or documents not disseminated through its official platforms.
Details of the false advertisement, titled "Recruitment for the Russian Army," promise applicants an initial bonus of $20,000, along with a monthly salary of $2,000, covering all travel and visa costs, as well as accommodation and meals. The tasks mentioned in the ad range from "driving and operating drones."
The dissemination of this message on Persian social media platforms has sparked negative reactions and skepticism among users, many of whom questioned its credibility from the outset.
In context, U.S. radio outlet Radio Free Europe noted that "the recruitment of foreign mercenaries for the war in Ukraine is typically conducted through unofficial channels or companies, and the Russian government does not necessarily recruit foreign mercenaries directly."
