Ukrainian forces capture foreign fighters from nearly 50 countries
Photo: Russian prisoners of war (Getty Images)
Hundreds of foreign nationals from more than 48 countries are currently held in Ukrainian captivity after Russia recruited them into the war through deception and financial manipulation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
How Russia’s recruitment system works
According to the ministry, Ukraine has launched a special information resource designed to expose the scale of Russia’s system for recruiting foreign citizens into combat operations.
The new online platform stoprussianrecruiters.org contains detailed data on the geography and covert methods used by Russian recruiters.
It also publishes information about specific individuals operating in the interests of the Kremlin in different parts of the world.
"Russia is increasingly involving foreign nationals in the war: labor migrants, unemployed people, and socially vulnerable groups from countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America," the Foreign Ministry said.
To lure foreigners into the Russian army, recruiters use financial manipulation, psychological pressure, and outright deception.
According to diplomats, the launch of this project will help draw international attention, warn potential victims, and contribute to holding accountable all those involved in sending people to their deaths.
Scale of mercenary recruitment
As part of the state project of Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters I Want to Live, more than 28,000 foreign citizens who signed contracts with the Russian armed forces have been identified.
According to verified data, at least 5,149 of them have already been killed on the battlefield.
In addition, hundreds of foreign nationals from more than 48 countries are currently held in Ukrainian captivity.
Russia’s recruitment of foreign fighters
Russia systematically recruits foreign citizens for its war against Ukraine using financial traps and deception.
Recently, Ukrainian law enforcement charged international mercenary Davor Savičić, who tortured people in Bucha. The 46-year-old mercenary holds dual citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Russia. He was the commander of the Volki (Wolves) sabotage and reconnaissance unit and is wanted by Interpol.
A large recruitment network is also operating in Africa, where Russia’s enlistment of Africans for the war in Ukraine is accelerating. Under the guise of job offers, the Kremlin is encouraging citizens from around 40 African countries to take part in the war.
To achieve this, Moscow even uses diplomatic missions and cultural projects. Recently, Russia opened a so-called cultural center in Africa — the Russian House in the Republic of Togo.
In reality, behind this humanitarian mission lies the spread of disinformation and covert recruitment of local populations into the ranks of the Russian army.
