A mysterious letter allegedly requesting Iranians to fight for Russia against Ukraine and republished by Iranian, Russian and US-backed media has caused a stir in diplomatic circles and the public in Tehran.  

On December 9, a letter appeared online, which was allegedly released by the Russian embassy, requesting Iranian men aged 18-45 to fight for Russia quickly spread through Persian-language social media.

On December 10, Russia's embassy in Tehran strongly denied involvement in alleged recruitment letters online and offline offering Iranian men to join Russian armed forces fighting in Ukraine, according to a post seen by IntelliNews.

Iran has supported the Russian war in Ukraine in the past few years with exports of its Shahed kamikaze drones used by Moscow against Kyiv. However, it is unknown how many active servicemen have signed on to the Russian side of the war. Previous reports admitted Iran had sent some military observers; however, no active troops.

"Iranian men aged 18 to 45 are being offered to sign a contract with the Russian Armed Forces to serve in the zone of the special military operation. Those signing the contract are promised large cash payments," the embassy said on its Telegram channel.

The embassy said any initiatives with similar appeals are forgeries of a criminal nature. Official Russian structures have no connection to such letters, the diplomatic mission said, recommending recipients contact Iranian law enforcement authorities.

The leaflets offered contract signing bonuses of up to $20,000 and monthly payments of approximately $2,000, according to Radio Farda, the Persian language service of US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

According to the alleged sheet, it said it would offer, “a flight from your current location to the base where the medical exam takes place and you sign the contract,” it added.

An IntelliNews journalist contacted the Telegram channel following publication of the details, but has failed to respond to questions sent about the previous post.

Earlier, the Prague-based news agency said a person contacted on the WhatsApp number provided claimed the leaflets were part of an "official" Russian recruitment campaign coordinated with Iranian authorities.

Following the alleged release of the recruitment letters, Iranians on social media were quick to comment on social media boards with their thoughts, some of which were not praiseworthy of the war in Ukraine.

"Then you get killed by Ukraine's smart army and become a martyr defending Putin's shrine," one Iranian social media user wrote sarcastically, comparing potential recruits to Iranian fighters killed in Syria.

Another commenter questioned the authenticity: "It's obviously not real, it's fake. If it were real, it would have at least an address or something for contact."

Some versions of the leaflet later appeared with added addresses, though these were clearly added after the original image circulated.

Other users insisted the recruitment drive was genuine despite official denials.

"The news is real, hurry up and get hired and get rich. Comrade Stalin's shrine is in danger," one person wrote mockingly, referencing Soviet-era terminology.

"It's real but it's been denied later. Now, anyone who follows up on this announcement and contacts the embassy will succeed in going to Russia.

Currently, there are Iranians, Afghans, Syrians and several other nationalities in the Russian army as mercenaries," another commenter claimed.

The Russian embassy categorically denied the leaflets were authentic, calling them forgeries of a criminal nature and recommending recipients contact Iranian law enforcement.

Earlier in November, Russia's consulate general in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, denied accusations of diplomat involvement in recruiting thousands of Iraqi citizens or any other countries' nationals for the military operation in Ukraine.

Ambassador Elbrus Kutrashev confirmed only a few cases of Iraqis joining the Russian army, but they did so voluntarily.

Following the release of the document and its subsequent denial by the Russian Embassy, citizens of the Islamic Republic were quick to comment on the