Photo: Russians walk near a red star with the letter Z in support of the Russian army near Red Square in Moscow, Russia, January 10, 2023. PAP/EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV

Russia is recruiting mercenaries in the annexed Crimea, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. On the peninsula occupied by the Russians, private companies are being created under the code names "Rusych" and "Schit (Shield)"

The Russians are looking for mercenaries among former military personnel and officials, said the spokesman of the General Staff of Ukraine, Oleksandr Shtupun.

"It is known that the recruitment of mercenaries for the newly created private military companies "Shield" and "Rusych" has been announced in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Ex-servicemen and other employees of law enforcement agencies are invited there, with priority given to officers. To at least somehow attract interest, potential candidates are promised high monetary maintenance, as well as the fact that they will allegedly not be involved in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine," the message reads.

Volunteer battalions financed by the regional authorities have been being created in Russia for several months. Moscow also sent mercenaries from the so-called Wagner group to the front.