Wagner Group to recruit former law enforcement officers for ‘military police’ in occupied Ukraine

Independent Russian publication Verstka reports that Wagner Group posted a job ad on Russia social networking site VKontakte seeking former employees of various Russian law enforcement agencies. Vertska didn’t provide a link to the VKontakte page in question, but based on a post on the publication’s Telegram channel the report seems to refer to the page Vakansii v ChVK Wagner [Wagner Group Openings].

The job ad, which was posted on June 22, seeks to recruit former law enforcement officers “who have experience in operations and detentions and who are capable of functioning as commanders.” The ad notes that the work will be related to the “SVO” (“special military operation,” as the Russian authorities call the Russia-Ukraine war).

Verstka journalists reached Wagner recruiters at one of the phone numbers listed in the ad. A man who gave his name as Denis said that this was the first such opening, and the military cartel planned to form a “commanders’ regiment.” “We’ll call them the military police,” said Denis. 

It’s not clear what the recruiter meant by “military police.” Russia’s Defense Ministry already has military police, whose job is to protect civilian personnel working for the military and to ensure law and order in military ranks.

Describing the position, the recruiter said “You’ll have to make sure that everyone follows company rules. You’ll see that there are no thieves or marauders, no beatings, drunkenness, etc. Also, you’ll identify [sabotage and reconnaissance groups] and, of course, work with them: interrogations, operational investigations…all kinds of operational work.”

Denis added that employees of the “commanders’ regiment” will ensure that other volunteers and service members with Russia’s Defense Ministry abide by Wagner Group rules. He didn’t specify the grounds for compelling other fighters to observe Wagner rules, but said that the group “has the authority.”

“You’ll work bravely, there will be absolutely no question of that, are you kidding? Catching a Defense Ministry soldier is no sin. Those critters are multiplying, and they drink like swine,” he said.

Denis said that the salary for “military police” officers will be around 240,000 rubles ($2,960) per month with “very good” bonuses. Officers will not be able to choose which part of Russian-occupied Ukraine they are sent to.

The recruiter didn’t say how long the recruitment period for this particular opening would last.