A UK intelligence update revealed on Monday that a Russian state-backed private military company (PMC) is specifically trying to recruit women into combat roles in Ukraine for the first time.
The British Ministry of Defense said in its war intelligence update, “Recent social media adverts have appealed for female recruits to join Borz Battalion, a part of Russian PMC Redut, to work as snipers and uncrewed aerial vehicle operators. Redut is likely directly sponsored by the Russian Main Directorate of Intelligence.”
The British intelligence report emphasized, “In March 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that 1,100 women were deployed in Ukraine, which would equate to only around 0.3 percent of its force. As Redut’s advert points out, they currently serve in mostly medical support and food service roles.”
The report, however, added: “It remains unclear whether official Russian defense forces will seek to follow suit and open more combat roles to women.”
The UK intelligence also stated, “Women have rarely taken front-line fighting roles within pro-Russian forces during the current conflict; however, there was a strong tradition of female snipers and other combat troops in Soviet forces during the Second World War.”
Women’s contributions to Russia’s military extended during World War II when they served as combat medics, snipers, and even partisans behind foe lines.
Separately, Redut PMC is one of the few private military companies operating in Russia with a growing international presence. It became infamous for supplying military support to different parties involved in clashes in the Middle East like Syria and Libya. It offers a range of services, including combat training, security consulting, and logistical support, primarily catering to governments and non-state actors.
Redut was established in 2008 by Russian President Vladimir Putin-linked oligarch and former KGB agent Gennady Timchenko to protect his gas empire. It enjoys complete support from the Russian defense ministry and has been active mainly in Syria, according to the think tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).
ASPI stated, “Redut played a major role in the Ukrainian invasion, suffering substantial losses. Leveraging [former Wagner chief Yevgeny] Prigozhin’s unsuccessful rebellion, the company has recruited former Wagner members. Redut is now the Russian military’s preferred private army, emblematic of the evolving complexity of its grey-zone operations.
It emphasizes the growing ties between the oil and gas sector, conflict, and Russian foreign policy. The firm will use grey-zone tactics to extend the influence of Russia.”
