Amnesty alleges Russia coerced foreign nationals into Ukraine war

Amnesty International has accused Russia of recruiting foreign nationals through misleading civilian job offers before forcing some into military service and deployment in Ukraine.

The rights group said recruits from Brazil, Colombia, Sri Lanka and South Africa were among those allegedly deceived by local agents and online advertisements promising well-paid, non-combat work. Migrants and refugees already in Russia were also allegedly coerced into joining the military.

Amnesty said interviewees reported having their passports and mobile phones confiscated, their movement restricted and promised salaries or enlistment bonuses withheld. The organisation cited the case of a South African man who was allegedly told he would drive a truck from Moscow to Poland, but was instead informed that he would become a soldier.

The findings are based on interviews conducted between 2024 and 2026 with prisoners of war held in Ukrainian camps, foreign nationals serving with Russian forces, relatives, lawyers, activists and journalists. Amnesty characterised the alleged conduct in some cases as human trafficking under the United Nations Palermo Protocol.

Amnesty said it could not investigate foreign nationals serving in Ukraine’s army because it lacks access to prisoners held in Russia. Both countries have recruited foreign nationals since Russia’s full-scale invasion, while Russia has previously rejected accusations that it coerces foreigners into military service. The trafficking characterisation remains Amnesty’s assessment, not a court finding.