ISW: Wagner Group has started recruiting at Russian sports clubs

American think tank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that Wagner Group has opened at least three recruitment centers at Russian sports clubs — in Rostov-on-Don, Samara, and Tyumen. Wagner Group itself reports that it has launched eight recruitment centers at sports clubs in Moscow.

Wagner Group founder Evgeny Prigozhin announced on March 2 that the private military company would collaborate with sports clubs. He added that the gyms could verify the physical fitness of those wanting to join Wagner Group.

ISW believes that Wagner Group is recruiting at sports clubs because of impediments to recruiting among prisoners. On March 3, Prigozhin suggested that the Russian authorities had barred Wagner Group from recruiting prisoners. According to media reports, the Russian Ministry of Defense is now recruiting prisoners directly.