Russia may have recruited at least 88,000 residents of temporarily occupied territories to take part in the war against Ukraine. This was reported by the “Eastern Human Rights Group”.
Source: Censor.NET
Human rights defenders refer to data from the Russian bank “PSB”, which reported the issuance of 88,000 electronic “Svoi” cards in the occupied territories.
According to the organization’s estimates, this figure may indicate the scale of involvement of local residents in the war on Russia’s side, as the card is linked to the status of a combat participant in Russian armed formations.
The “Eastern Human Rights Group” notes that at first glance it appears to be a standard digital service for participants in the so-called “special military operation”. However, in reality, it is used as a tool for recording and confirming military personnel status.
The “Svoi” card performs several functions at once — an ID, a bank card, and a means of receiving state payments and benefits.
Human rights defenders emphasize that Russia is thereby forming a separate social group in the occupied territories, integrated into a system of payments, benefits, and military registration.