Foreigners from 136 countries fighting for Russia, Ukrainian intelligence reveals
Photo: a billboard advertising contract service in the Russian army (Getty Images)
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) has data on more than 28,000 foreigners who have signed contracts with the Russian Armed Forces, and the number continues to grow, according to HUR representative and Secretary of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Dmytro Usov.
According to him, 28,391 foreign nationals have currently been identified, for whom Ukraine has personal data, including citizenship.
"This is the figure based on verified personal data. That is, we are working with specific names, personal details, and citizenship information of these individuals," Usov said.
According to intelligence data, citizens from 136 countries are fighting alongside Russian forces. This figure does not include North Korean troops, who are estimated at nearly 14,100.
Usov also stressed that Russia effectively does not release foreigners after their contracts end. According to him, at least 3,080 individuals remain in the military even after service completion.
"I want to draw attention to the figure of 3,080 people — these are foreign citizens who signed contracts, whose contracts have expired, but they have not left the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces. Russia will continue to use them," he emphasized.
In addition, Russia’s Defense Ministry plans to increase the recruitment of foreigners further. According to Usov, in 2026, Moscow intends to sign nearly 19,000 more contracts with foreign nationals.
Intelligence also records a growing number of foreign nationals being taken prisoner. At present, citizens of 48 countries are among POWs, numbering in the hundreds.
According to Usov, foreigners are recruited not only into combat units but also into enterprises of the military-industrial complex, after which they may be used in the war.
He added that Russia sends foreigners into assaults to expose Ukrainian positions.
"In other words, Russia uses them in meat assaults, deploying them directly in attacks along various tactical directions," Usov said.
According to him, among the foreigners recruited by Russia are citizens of CSTO countries, as well as states in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
According to HUR’s I Want to Live project, in 2026, Russia plans to recruit at least 18,500 foreigners, primarily from Central Asian countries, as well as from Africa and Asia. To this end, dozens of recruitment centers operate across Russia, with clear quotas set for each region.
At the same time, authorities use not just financial incentives, but also pressure on migrants. In particular, foreigners are forced to choose between criminal prosecution and signing a contract.
