For several months, we monitored Telegram channels that recruit citizens from the region into the Russian military. In a four-month investigation, we infiltrated a private recruitment channel on Telegram, intended for joining the Russian army to fight in Ukraine. At the same time, we communicated with several well-known Serbian mercenaries already in Russia – including a man named Davor Savičić from Republika Srpska, who even offered to organize an airport pickup at Moscow’s „Vnukovo“ Airport.
We joined a Telegram group called “SVO” (an abbreviation for “Special Military Operation”), where recruitment messages multiplied. One sentence was crucial:
“Brothers, don’t forget: for any questions – you are traveling to Russia as tourists. No other answers.”
One of the “recruits” was Igor Dimitrijević, a 28-year-old from Bijeljina. Behind this persona stood the Detektor team, observing and communicating with recruiters in Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. We exchanged messages, voice notes, and photos with them.
The investigation revealed that recruitment channels for volunteers in Bosnia and Serbia operate with very few restrictions. These channels are run by Balkan mercenaries who previously joined Russian forces – men who now promise high salaries, Russian citizenship, and benefits for the families of recruits.
The Detektor team contacted Dejan Berić, a well-known Serbian mercenary already serving in Russia, active on Telegram and YouTube. Berić’s approach to recruitment began cautiously:
“Hi Igor. It’s Deki. Do you speak Russian”.
At first, he was clear – only men aged 20 to 49 who could speak Russian were eligible to sign a contract.
After some insistence, Berić announced the formation of a new unit “with many Serbs,” reassuring Igor that knowledge of Russian would no longer be required. A message followed:
“Igor, good day, everything is arranged here, you can come. When you buy a ticket let us know so we can meet you”, he said.
He even suggested flying via Istanbul to get a cheaper ticket, promising that the money would be refunded, and emphasizing that the location must not be disclosed even to family members.
“From Russia, you do not send pictures, videos, or messages to your closest family… otherwise you face many years in prison,” Berić warned.
He added that the training would not be difficult and that the commander, “Vuk,” was actually Davor Savičić, a well-known mercenary from Bosnia who is, according to publicly available data, now a member of the GRU, the Russian military intelligence service.
Savičić was supposed to meet Igor at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport, on a route via Belgrade and Istanbul. The day before the “departure,” messages were exchanged.
“I will write your name and surname on a piece of paper … I will send you my picture,” said Savičić.
Soon, a photo arrived – a masked man in uniform. This confirmed that Savičić would be waiting. On the agreed day, he waited at the airport; after some time passed, messages and calls followed. Igor never turned up.
Detektor contacted the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding Savičić. They responded in writing but said they could not provide details – citing ongoing investigations.
To understand the bigger picture, Detektor spoke with John Lechner, investigative journalist and author of a book on the notorious Wagner Group. He said social media plays a central role in recruitment.
“Usually, the people who sign up are those somehow dissatisfied with life at home … and excited about the opportunity to join something bigger than themselves”.
Meanwhile, we came across a Facebook page called “Četnik Dobrovoljac” (“Chetnik Volunteer”).
One recruiter, using the name Aslan, claimed that volunteers who sign a one-year contract would receive a sign-up bonus of about 52,000 KM (Bosnian marks) and a monthly salary of 5,500 KM. He also promised that recruits could obtain Russian citizenship, as well as family benefits, free education, and support after the war.
The intermediary was Željko Tomić (also known as “Četnik Dobrovoljac”), who gave instructions on how to travel:
“When you go, say you are traveling as tourists. Nothing else. Because if someone asks… you are tourists. That’s it”.
He advised not to bring too many personal belongings, explaining that military equipment would be provided.
“Leave contact information for someone in your family … so they know who to pay if, God forbid, someone gets killed,” he said.
Tomić repeatedly encouraged recruits to head to Russia:
“Organize yourselves in groups … send me a message – the first five of you – so we can move as a unit”.
He claimed he had returned from the front to help those interested in joining.
“I will pass on all my frontline experience to you young men. You are my Serbs … and, God willing, together with our Russian brothers we will be on Kosovo”
When asked about conditions and contracts, he said:
“Through this service you can obtain Russian citizenship, and then a longer contract. Your family can as well – your children will go to school, and afterwards … help in getting employment”.
Tomić warned recruits that there might be a background check, but reassured them about the training:
“Training lasts two weeks, with experienced instructors … and you can learn to be a sniper or a drone operator. If you go into the infantry, that is more dangerous, so maybe avoid that”
Detektor could not determine how many members of the Telegram group actually reached Russia. The Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina stated that joining foreign paramilitary or military formations can result in a prison sentence of six months to eight years, depending on one’s role and whether the person took part in direct combat.
Serbia’s Criminal Code similarly punishes citizens who go abroad to fight.
Nino Bilajac. Journalist, Detektor.ba
The articles published in the “Opinions” column reflect the personal opinion of the author and may not coincide with the position of the Center
