Thousands of U.S.-trained Afghan troops are reportedly considering joining Russian forces as mercenaries to fight in Ukraine as they face a life of poverty in Iran.
Many of the former service members are living in Iran, where they fled after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported Tuesday. The former troops say they are now completing manual labor and even rummaging through trash to sell.
They reportedly feel abandoned by the United States, which they blame for their current situation.
The former troops, many of whom were elite commandos, often say that joining Russia's private paramilitary Vagner Group would be a better option than the struggles they are currently facing. Some former troops are already moving to join, according to WhatsApp messages viewed by the outlet.
