US EditionKremlin Exploits Migrants to Fuel War, Plans 18,500 Recruits – Ukrainian Intelligence
- Russia plans to recruit at least 18,500 foreign citizens into its army in 2026, focusing on men aged 18 to 60 from Central Asian countries and other poor countries in Africa and Asia.
- Recruitment is conducted through 97 contract selection points and private military groups controlled by Russian special services such as the GRU.
- Migrants facing visa expirations or minor immigration violations are coerced into signing military contracts or face long prison terms, with the risk of being sent to frontline combat units in Ukraine.
- Ukraine's Defense Intelligence warns foreigners against traveling to Russia due to the high risk of forced recruitment and deployment to frontline units.
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15 Articles
Soon New Foreign Nationals to Fight in Ukraine? Here Are the Countries in Which Russia Could Recruit
Russia could step up the recruitment of foreign fighters in 2026, targeting in particular Central Asia and some African countries according to...
According to Ukrainian intelligence services, Russia intends to recruit at least 18,500 foreigners into its armed forces in 2026, including migrants living in the country, due to the significant human losses suffered by its army in the war in Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Russian General Staff and the Ministry of the Interior have conducted a census of foreign persons present in the territory. The aim is to increase the number of foreign citizens present in the territory.
On April 28, the Ukrainian Military Intelligence (HUR) reported that Moscow is preparing to induct at least 18,500 foreigners into the Russian Armed Forces by 2026, The Kyiv Independent reports.
Moscow is preparing to recruit at least 18,500 foreigners into the Russian armed forces by 2026, the Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) has reported. Ukrainian special operations forces attacked an Iskander missile depot in occupied Crimea.
Russia wants up to 20,000 foreign recruits in 2026, using coercion and deportation threats to bring people to the frontlines – Ukrainian intelligence
Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) says Russia is expanding efforts to recruit foreign citizens into its forces, aiming to enlist up to 20,000 in 2026. Russia has recruited foreign nationals for military service throughout the war against Ukraine, often targeting vulnerable populations from poorer countries and migrant communities. These fighters are frequently deployed to frontline roles with limited training, where casualty rates are high a…
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