Moscow Metro Advertises 'Alternative Service' with False Promises
An advertisement for an 'alternative service' in the 'African Corps' appeared in Moscow's metro. Advertisements for a contract with the 'African Corps' were found at the Tushinskaya and Sходненская stations of Moscow's metro.
Consensus
- Recruitment stands promoting 'alternative service' have appeared in Moscow metro stations, specifically at Tushinskaya and Sходnenskaya.
- The recruitment is conducted by the organization 'Zashchitnik.rf'.
- Applicants are offered a standard military contract with the 'African Corps', a unit of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
- Service is reportedly located in Naro-Fominsk, Moscow Oblast.
- Recruits are promised no deployment to combat zones, military benefits, and exemption from conscription.
- The recruitment targets individuals aged 18 to 45 with skills in IT, engineering, and driving.
- A one-time payment of 2.3 million rubles is promised in the promotional materials.
- Monthly salary is stated as at least 130,000 rubles on the hotline.
- Recruiters claim applicants can withdraw during the signing process if they are dissatisfied.
- Experts and legal observers confirm that there is no legal 'alternative service' contract; the program is a misrepresentation of standard military enlistment.
- The 'African Corps' is a recognized unit within the Russian Ministry of Defense.
- The campaign began approximately one month prior to reporting.
Points of divergence
- The organization 'Zashchitnik.rf' has been engaged in recruitment since December 2024. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- The program is described as 'alternative service' with no deployment to combat zones and includes exemption from conscription. — tg_sotavisionmedia
- The program is advertised as 'alternative service' with exemption from conscription and no deployment to combat zones. — tg_echoonline_news
- The one-time payment is stated as 2.3 million rubles in the brochure, while the hotline mentions 2 million rubles. — tg_tvrain
- The campaign was first reported by 'Idite lesom' on August 17, and the organization 'Zashchitnik.rf' began promoting these services in social media since December 2024. — meduza
Coverage (6 sources)
- Moscow residents are being lured into war under the guise of an 'alternative service' — The Moscow Times
- In Moscow Metro, an advertisement for an 'alternative service' appeared in the 'African Corps' — SOTAvision
- Advertisement for 'alternative service' appeared in Moscow Metro. To join it, one must sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense — ЭХО / Новости
- Moscow Metro begins advertising 'alternative service' without sending to war. In reality, they offer to sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense — Дождь (Telegram)
- In Moscow metro, 'alternative service' is advertised — in reality it is a regular contract with the Ministry of Defense — Дождь
- Moscow metro began advertising 'alternative service' without sending to the front. But you have to sign a regular contract — Meduza