Foreigners Recruited to Fight for Russia in Ukraine: The Untold Stories

A 21-year-old man from Walasmulla, Sri Lanka, shares his unexpected journey from signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense to fighting on the frontline in Ukraine. Promised Russian citizenship and financial incentives, he found himself wounded and captured in Ukraine, revealing the harsh reality of his recruitment in a confidential interview with DW.

Similarly, a 35-year-old man from Nepal recounts his desperate move to join the Russian army for better pay, only to end up in a POW camp in Ukraine, emphasizing the exploitation of vulnerable individuals from developing countries.

Reports suggest Russia has coerced thousands of migrant workers and foreign students into military service, highlighting the harrowing experiences of individuals like these two men who were misled into a dangerous conflict far from home.

As the world witnesses the unfolding tragedies of forced recruitment and captivity, activists strive to help foreign soldiers escape Russian clutches, shedding light on the dark tactics used to manipulate those unaware of their rights.

Amidst the chaos and deception, the voices of these individuals from the global South serve as a reminder of the human cost of war and the urgent need for international intervention to protect vulnerable populations.