Russia trafficking foreigners to fight in Ukraine, Amnesty says

Amnesty International reported that Russia is trafficking foreign nationals into its military, based on interviews with prisoners of war from Brazil, Colombia, Sri Lanka and South Africa who described being lured by fraudulent job advertisements and coerced into signing military contracts on arrival. One South African truck driver said he was told he was flying to Moscow for driving work and had his belongings confiscated on arrival.

Ukraine estimated in April that over 28,000 foreign nationals from 136 countries fight for Russia, while roughly 14,000 North Korean troops were deployed against Ukraine's 2024 Kursk incursion; neither side discloses full totals. Amnesty Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said recruiters and the officials who use trafficked fighters as what she called cannon fodder should be held accountable, and called on Ukraine and other governments to gather prosecutable evidence.

Russia has not commented on the specific report and has previously denied coercing foreign nationals into service; Amnesty said it could not investigate Ukraine's use of foreign fighters held in Russia because Moscow has designated the group a foreign agent.

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