Russia Recruits Over 18,000 Foreign Nationals for Ukraine Conflict

The Russian Federation has recruited more than 18,000 foreign nationals from 128 countries to support its military operations in Ukraine. This information was disclosed by Brigadier General Dmitry Usov, the Secretary of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, during the recent international Crimea Global Conference held in Kyiv. Usov noted that approximately 3,388 foreign fighters have died in the conflict, underlining the significant human cost of this recruitment strategy.

Usov explained that since the beginning of 2023, Russia has established an extensive recruitment network aimed at compensating for the substantial losses its armed forces have faced. Initially, the number of contracts signed by foreign nationals each month was in the hundreds, but this figure has surged to thousands. The primary incentive for many of these individuals appears to be financial gain, though Usov highlighted that “many people have ended up in the Russian army through fraud or coercion.”

Moreover, Ukraine currently holds prisoners of war from 37 countries who fought for Russia. Usov emphasized that the Russian government shows little interest in negotiating the return of these foreign nationals, apart from a few exceptions, notably citizens of North Korea. He stated, “Russia has not requested the exchange of a single foreign national, apart from citizens of North Korea.”

Reports indicate that North Korean soldiers have been actively engaged in combat operations, particularly in Kursk Oblast. In autumn 2024, it was noted that several thousand North Koreans were undergoing training in Russia, with expectations of their deployment to the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that North Korean troops have sustained losses while fighting alongside Russian forces.

The recruitment of mercenaries has also expanded to include individuals from several African nations, such as Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal, and Uganda. The influx of recruits from Cameroon has prompted the Cameroonian Defence Ministry to issue directives to its officers to take preventive measures against desertion.

In addition, young people from Iraq are reportedly being attracted to join the fight through social media platforms, with promises of lucrative salaries reaching up to £2,100 per month and sign-up bonuses nearing £15,400. Influencers and recruiters on platforms like TikTok and Telegram are amplifying the appeal of joining Russia’s military efforts, presenting these opportunities as attractive options for potential recruits.

Despite these challenges, Usov assured that Ukraine is actively working to facilitate the return of all Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russian detention facilities. He pointed out that Ukraine’s concerted efforts involving the Coordination Headquarters, Defence Intelligence, the Foreign Ministry, and parliament members have significantly hindered Russia’s international recruitment initiatives.

As the conflict continues, the dynamics of foreign recruitment reflect both the desperation of the Russian military and the complexities of global involvement in the war. The implications of these developments could have far-reaching effects not only for the nations involved but also for the broader international community.