Russia Intensifies Recruitment of Foreign Fighters Amidst Mounting Losses in Ukraine

Russia Seeks to Bolster Ranks with International Recruits

The Russian Federation is reportedly intensifying its efforts to recruit foreign nationals to bolster its military ranks, a strategy driven by substantial personnel losses in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and a desire to avoid further unpopular domestic mobilization. Reports indicate that Moscow is targeting individuals from a wide array of countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, offering significant financial incentives and the promise of Russian citizenship.

This recruitment drive is seen as a less politically risky alternative to conscripting more Russian citizens, as the deaths of foreign fighters are less likely to fuel anti-war sentiment domestically.

Recruitment Tactics and Incentives

Russia employs various methods to attract foreign fighters, including extensive use of social media and private intermediaries. Potential recruits are often lured with promises of lucrative employment, such as construction jobs, only to find themselves pressured into military contracts upon arrival in Russia.

Key incentives offered include:

• High Salaries: Foreign fighters are reportedly offered substantial payments, with some Cubans promised around $2,000 per month, and new enlistees in Moscow potentially receiving up to 5.2 million rubles annually. A one-time payment of 400,000 rubles is also available.
• Expedited Citizenship: Presidential decrees in 2022 and 2024 have simplified the process for foreign nationals and their families to obtain Russian citizenship in exchange for military service.
• Debt Forgiveness: A new law allows for the write-off of up to 10 million rubles in outstanding debt for recruits and their spouses.

Despite these promises, many recruits receive minimal training, sometimes as little as two weeks, before being deployed to the front lines.

Geographic Reach and Reported Numbers

Recruitment efforts span numerous countries. Reports highlight significant numbers from:

• Cuba: Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) estimates over 1,000 Cuban nationals are fighting for Russia, with some Ukrainian officials suggesting the total could be as high as 20,000.
• Nepal: At least 603 Nepalese nationals were recruited through a Moscow center between April 2023 and May 2024, with some estimates suggesting up to 15,000 may have been recruited.
• India: At least 43 Indian nationals were recruited through Moscow's selection point, with reports of 12 killed and 16 missing.
• North Korea: North Koreans reportedly constitute the largest number of foreigners fighting for Russia in an official capacity, with 12,000 troops dispatched.

Other countries from which fighters have been recruited include Syria, Serbia, Afghanistan, Somalia, China, and various Central Asian states like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Ukrainian authorities reported in August 2025 that over 100 foreign mercenaries from 33 countries were held in Ukrainian captivity.

Context of Military Losses and Legal Status

The intensified foreign recruitment comes as Russia faces severe military attrition. British intelligence estimates that over one million Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Daily Russian losses have frequently exceeded 1,000 personnel. The 2022 partial mobilization led to hundreds of thousands of Russians fleeing the country, making foreign recruitment a strategic necessity for the Kremlin.

The legal status of foreign fighters remains complex. While Russia has simplified citizenship to grant them combatant status, Ukrainian authorities consider many to be mercenaries, who can be prosecuted under international law. Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office has pursued criminal cases for mercenarism, securing convictions against individuals like Belarusian citizen Andrey Gerilovich and Kazakh citizen Shyngys Seipiyev.