Russia’s top source of foreign mercenaries for Ukraine war named
The process of recruitment into the Russian army is actively ongoing (Photo: Getty Images)
Russia has recruited over 42,000 foreigners for the war against Ukraine and plans to bring in even more by the end of 2026. One in five recruits has already died, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation and the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine.
Scale of recruitment
As of now, over 14,000 military personnel from North Korea have been identified in the ranks of the Russian army, along with more than 28,000 recruited foreigners from other countries — over 42,000 people in total. By the end of 2026, the Kremlin aims to bring in at least 18,500 new foreign fighters.
Most ended up in the Russian army through promises of high earnings, manipulation, and pressure. Once on the front lines, they remain without documents or proper training.
Countries with the largest numbers of recruits
According to verified data from the "I Want to Live" project of the Main Intelligence Directorate, the top countries by number of recruits are:
- Cuba – 15,000+ (GUR estimate)
- North Korea – 14,000+ (GUR estimate)
- Uzbekistan – 4,955
- Tajikistan – 3,321
- Belarus – 2,871
- Kazakhstan – 2,420
- Kyrgyzstan – 1,395
- Sri Lanka – 897
- Armenia – 994
Casualties are catastrophic
Since February 24, 2022, 5,149 recruited foreigners have been identified as killed, and over 700 have been captured. In total, 22% of all recruited mercenaries have already died. And 42% of the dead died within their first four months of service.
How recruitment happens
Recruitment takes place both inside Russia and directly in the countries of origin, through:
- "Russian Houses" and Rossotrudnichestvo structures abroad;
- Private recruiters;
- Russian embassies and consulates;
- Pressure on foreign students at Russian universities;
- Influence on labor migrants inside Russia;
- Pressure on those who have committed crimes.
Among the recruits are students who came to study in Russia, people looking for work, tourists, and offenders.
Reaction of countries
Dozens of states have reacted to Russia's cynical actions. In particular:
- India – exposed a network of recruiters, brought back over 100 citizens; the Supreme Court is investigating the deaths of 26 Indians.
- Kenya – eliminated 600 recruitment agencies, detained an employee of the Russian embassy; cases have been opened regarding at least 10 deaths.
- Kazakhstan – opened 700 criminal cases against its citizens for participation in the war.
The UN has also documented the inhumane treatment of recruited foreigners in the Russian army.
Over the year, the number of people willing to fight for Russia against Ukraine has dropped by 20%, and the trend is only intensifying.
To compensate for the shortfall, Russia is expanding its recruitment geography. At the end of 2025, the Kremlin launched an active recruitment of mercenaries in Iran, offering $20,000 upfront and about $2,000 per month. In May 2026, Russia stepped up recruitment of citizens from African countries.
