Rights groups allege Russia uses deception and coercion to recruit foreign fighters for Ukraine
While Moscow insists participation is voluntary, international law experts warn that targeting economically precarious individuals may constitute human trafficking under UN conventions.
A joint investigation by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Truth Hounds, and the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law (KIBHR) has identified a systematic global recruitment network targeting men from the world’s poorest nations for service in Ukraine. The study estimates that 27,000 or more foreign nationals are currently involved in the conflict, with projections suggesting up to 18,500 new recruits could be mobilised in 2026 alone.
The research indicates that recruitment strategies frequently exploit individuals in economically precarious situations through a combination of enticing offers, deception, and coercion. Ilya Nusov, a study author, told Deutsche Welle that the methods employed range from false promises of employment to outright manipulation, often targeting those seeking to escape poverty or support their families.
Case studies detailed in the report highlight the severe human cost of these arrangements. Oscar Khagola Mutoka, a 72-year-old Kenyan, travelled to Russia in the summer of 2025 seeking work. A week after his departure, he sent a photograph of himself in uniform before losing contact. His family later confirmed he had been killed in action, though his body has not been recovered. Similarly, Yoan Viondi Mendoza, a 23-year-old Cuban national, was promised $2,000 (€1,750) per month in September 2023. After being sent to the front lines and attempting to escape, his name appeared on lists of foreign nationals killed in action published by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR).
Other recruits were allegedly misled about the nature of their employment. Arman Mondol from Bangladesh was recruited under the pretence of working as a warehouse packer. Upon arrival in Russia, he was forced to sign an unread contract in Russian and was subsequently used in combat roles. Mondol reported that foreign nationals were often placed in the vanguard of missions, effectively serving as human shields. He was injured by a landmine and escaped back to Bangladesh, where he remains disabled.
While Russia maintains that all foreign participants are volunteers acting in compliance with domestic legislation, international law experts argue that the recruitment of vulnerable populations may breach the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Palermo Protocol. In February 2026, reports emerged that Moscow had restricted recruitment from certain "friendly" countries, although the specific list remains unpublished. The issue has also entered diplomatic channels, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly raising the matter in meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
