War in Ukraine: A global human trafficking system… In Russia, thousands of foreign soldiers are recruited in violation of international law to die on the front line

Russia has recruited, since February 2022, at least 27,000 foreign nationals from over 130 countries to participate in the war in Ukraine. These recruitments mostly target vulnerable individuals. An international investigation suggests an organized system that may involve human trafficking.

“Canon fodder.” More than 5,000 foreign nationals recruited by the Russian army have been killed fighting in Ukraine. This was revealed in an international investigation published on April 29 by the Truth Hounds NGO and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

According to the report, Russia has recruited at least 27,000 foreigners from over 130 countries since the start of the war in 2022. Additionally, around 14,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent under agreements with Moscow. In total, this represents a force comparable to the army of some countries.

Recruitment has significantly increased between September 2025 and February 2026, with a 30% rise in enlistments. The movement could continue, as estimates from Ukrainian intelligence services suggest Russia may seek to recruit nearly 18,500 foreign fighters by the year’s end.

Recruiters “deliberately target the most vulnerable populations.” Undocumented migrants, detainees, precarious workers, foreign students: dozens of Asian, African, and Latin American countries are reportedly involved. “Many of these individuals, to some extent, knew what they were getting into. Others were deceived or coerced. In any case, it is a state that has instrumentalized them for its war machine and sent them to the most dangerous positions on the front lines,” explains Alexis Dewaef, president of the FIDH.

The investigation also mentions pressure tactics: threats of expulsion, confiscation of documents, fabricated criminal charges, and even violence. Raids on migrant communities have allegedly been carried out to force some to sign up.

Once enlisted, these fighters receive only a few weeks of training before being sent into battle. The losses are significant: at least 3,388 deaths have been identified, but the actual number is believed to exceed 5,000. Some estimates suggest one in five foreign soldiers may not survive their deployment.

According to the investigation, Russia’s recruitment system resembles an organized and structured setup involving both state actors and private intermediaries. Even worse, this system would amount to human trafficking, particularly due to the use of deception, coercion, and exploitation of individuals sent into combat.