Russia traffics foreigners to fight in Ukraine: Amnesty

Amnesty International accused Russia on Thursday of illegally trafficking foreigners to fight in Ukraine, saying some people were deceived into signing Russian military contracts after being lured by false job offers.

The London-based rights group said its report was based partly on interviews with prisoners of war. It said victims included citizens of Brazil, Colombia, Sri Lanka and South Africa, and that some were made to join the army after arriving in Russia.

Russia made no immediate public comment on Amnesty's allegations. It has previously dismissed accusations that it coerced foreigners into joining its army.

Amnesty Secretary-General Agnes Callamard told AFP that recruiters working for Russia often targeted people under 40 from poorer countries with promises of work. She said passports were taken, documents were signed without being understood, and recruits were given training they did not understand.

Amnesty said recruiters also targeted foreigners living in Russia without legal status, promising residency or a passport in exchange for enlisting.

Both Russia and Ukraine have recruited foreign nationals since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine estimated in April that more than 28,000 foreigners from 136 countries were fighting in the Russian army. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv discloses the total number of foreign soldiers in their ranks.

Callamard called on Ukraine and countries whose citizens were allegedly trafficked to provide evidence for prosecutions.