Russia's invasion of Ukraine: How is Russia recruiting mercenaries to fight in the war?

[source](https://wwwA photo taken in the Donbass region during 2014/15 of an unnamed member of Wagan

The BBC has learned that social media and private messaging groups are being used to build a new brigade of mercenaries alongside the Russian military to fight the war in Ukraine.

The BBC has spoken to current and former fighters who have close ties to major Russian recruitment agencies. These individuals provided details on how the recruitment began.

A former fighter for the Russian military told the BBC that in the weeks leading up to the war, many ex-combatants had been approached by Wagner, an undercover detective, into a private telegram group.

They were invited to a picnic in Ukraine and were told to taste the local Ukrainian food, salvo, which is made from pork fat.

The message was appealing to those who had a criminal record or were in debt and did not have a foreign passport.

The message also welcomed the people of the Russian-occupied territories of Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk.

Russia-Ukraine conflict: What effect could this war have on your life? Send us your questions.bbc.com/urdu/world-60718270)