Almost 29,000 foreigners signed contracts with the Russian army - GUR

Since the beginning of 2022, almost 29,000 foreign citizens have signed contracts with the Russian armed forces. As of September 2026, among Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine there are citizens of 55 countries.

This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, citing data from the GUR MO Ukraine project "I Want to Live". According to its estimate, currently every tenth Russian prisoner of war is a citizen of another state.

Only during the first nine months of 2026, more foreigners from the Russian army fell into Ukrainian captivity than in all of 2025. Among them are citizens of Argentina, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Honduras, Vietnam, and Mongolia.

The Russian Ministry of Defense planned to recruit at least 18,500 foreigners into the army during 2026. In April, the GUR reported that for this purpose, 97 selection points for contract service are operating in Russia, and military commissariats have been set targets for attracting from 0.5% to 3.5% of foreign men in each region.

Initially, one of the main areas of recruitment were the countries of Central Asia, Africa, and South Asia. According to the latest data from the "I Want to Live" project, thanks to the actions of other governments, diplomatic pressure, and publicity, Russia has suspended the recruitment of citizens from 39 countries, including China, India, Egypt, Kenya, Pakistan, and Ghana.

At the same time, Moscow has not stopped recruiting foreigners, but has changed the main areas of recruitment. Currently, according to the Ukrainian side, Russian structures are working more actively in the countries of South America, Central Asia, and Africa.

The GUR previously reported that foreigners are offered money, social benefits, and Russian citizenship. For migrants already in Russia, problems with documents, threat of deportation, or administrative detention may also be used as a means of pressure to sign a contract.

By materials: Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, GUR MO Ukraine