Amnesty International Accuses Russia of Trafficking Foreigners for War

Amnesty International released a report on September 10, 2026, concluding that the Federal Government of Russia is engaging in human trafficking by deceiving and coercing foreign nationals to fight in the war against Ukraine. The organization states that Russia targets economically vulnerable individuals from the Global South—including Brazil, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Cuba, and Egypt—using fraudulent online advertisements for civilian roles in IT, security, and logistics.

According to the report, recruits often have their passports and phones confiscated upon arrival in Russia and are forced to sign military contracts in languages they do not understand. Russian authorities allegedly weaponize the precarious immigration status of migrants and refugees, offering residency or citizenship to avoid detention and deportation. Secretary-General Agnes Callamard characterized these recruits as "cannon fodder" and stated the practices amount to human trafficking under the UN's Palermo Protocol.

Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War identified 28,391 foreign nationals from 136 countries serving in Russian forces by April. While the European Parliament formally defined these recruitments as human trafficking in a March resolution, the Kremlin has not responded to Amnesty International's request for comment. Russia has previously dismissed accusations of coercion, though spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated the government intends to return Indian citizens serving in its military once their identities are established.