Europe

Russia is recruiting foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine war

Russia is increasingly recruiting men from some of the world's poorest countries and sending them to the front in the Ukraine war. Analysts say economic hardship is a key factor driving people to sign up.

Soldier silhouettes at dusk under overcast sky
Soldier silhouettes at dusk under overcast skyPhoto: Rafal Maciejski / Pexels
Deutsche Welle Europe1 h ago

Russia is increasingly recruiting men from some of the world's poorest countries to send to the front in the Ukraine war. Recruitment efforts are reportedly targeting populations in economically vulnerable regions.

Analysts say promises of high pay, combined with financial hardship, are pushing many people to accept these offers. Many recruits reportedly sign contracts without fully understanding the real risks of combat.

Human rights organizations argue the practice amounts to exploitation and say it deserves greater international attention. Russian officials have not yet issued an official response to the allegations.

GeopoliticsEuropeDeutsche Welle Europe
This article is an AI-curated summary of the original story published by Deutsche Welle Europe. The illustration is a stock photo by Rafal Maciejski from Pexels and is not from the original story.

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