Story perspectives

Amnesty Says Russia’s Ukraine Foreign Recruitment Is Human Trafficking

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 8:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Amnesty International says Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals for Ukraine war is human trafficking.
Recruiters promise civilians jobs, high salaries and citizenship to Brazilians, Colombians, Sri Lankans and others.
Recruits sign contracts, lose passports, and receive two weeks’ training before front-line combat.
Ukrainian estimates say about 28,000 foreigners from 136 countries fight for Russia.
Amnesty urges states to warn citizens and Russia to stop recruiting.

History

Historical Context

After Nazi Germany opened its Waffen-SS to non-German volunteers in April 1940, foreign units grew to about 38,000 by 1944 and eventually totalled roughly 500,000 men, many drawn from occupied Eastern Europe. Today Russia’s recruitment agencies are offering high pay and citizenship to Brazilians, Colombians and others for front-line combat in Ukraine, echoing the same exploitation of vulnerable migrants by an authoritarian regime.

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Story summary

Amnesty International says Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals for Ukraine war is human trafficking.
Recruiters promise civilians jobs, high salaries and citizenship to Brazilians, Colombians, Sri Lankans and others.
Recruits sign contracts, lose passports, and receive two weeks’ training before front-line combat.
Ukrainian estimates say about 28,000 foreigners from 136 countries fight for Russia.
Amnesty urges states to warn citizens and Russia to stop recruiting.

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