Up to 8,000 Latin Americans Recruited to Fight for Russia in Ukraine, Human Trafficking Report Finds
Primary region South America
Tags Security · Justice
Regions South America · Europe
An international human rights report by FIDH, Truth Hounds, and the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights estimates between 1,000 and 8,000 Latin Americans are serving in the Russian army in Ukraine, many deceived by false job offers. Russia has recruited at least 27,000 foreigners from over 130 countries since February 2022, with the foreign contingent growing over 30% between September 2025 and February 2026. Cuba is the most documented case with at least 20,000 citizens sent to the front since 2023 and 93 confirmed dead. Colombia's President Petro estimates 7,000 nationals involved on both sides. Peru reports at least 13 dead, 73 missing, and 600+ recruited. Ukraine's military intelligence projects Russia will add another 18,500 foreign combatants by year's end.
Strategic interpretation
The scale of Russian foreign recruitment reflects Moscow's growing manpower shortage as the war drags on. The deceptive recruitment practices — targeting economically vulnerable populations with false job offers — constitute a human trafficking network that has drawn limited international response. Latin American governments face pressure to protect their citizens while navigating complex relationships with both Russia and the West. Colombia's new law penalizing participation in foreign conflicts signals a growing regional awareness of the problem.