Panama says nationals were recruited for Russia-Ukraine war

Panamanian authorities said at least 15 Panamanians have been recruited to take part in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and that one of them has died.

Panama's foreign ministry said it was investigating the presence of Panamanian nationals in the conflict after relatives complained that their loved ones had been enlisted under false pretenses. The ministry said the war began in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Acting foreign minister Carlos Arturo Hoyos told broadcaster Telemetro on Friday that at least 15 Panamanian nationals had been hired to take part in the war since 2025. He did not say which side they were on.

Hoyos said some people knew what they were going to do, while others believed they had been deceived and thought they were going to work in private security or operate heavy machinery. He warned people to stay alert and said the situation could be a life-threatening risk.

Hoyos also said one person had died and several were missing. He did not give details about the death.

Minister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac said the Panamanian government and the president had nothing to do with the recruitment. He said the government did not agree with it, was not involved, and had no intention of allowing it to happen.

The Office of the Attorney General said it was conducting two investigations after receiving complaints. It said the probes aim to determine whether crimes were committed in Panama and to establish responsibility.

The foreign ministry said it had repeatedly asked Russian and Ukrainian embassies for information and had raised the matter with Moscow and Kyiv. According to Panama's foreign ministry, Russian authorities said the contracts signed were voluntary and resulted from individual decisions by those who signed them.