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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that his forces “will respond” to the threat posed by foreign mercenaries fighting for Russia. A map published by Newsweek illustrates these countries.
Previous reports indicate that Russia uses foreign mercenaries, but Zelensky’s comments specifically refer to troops from Africa and Asia. His claims have been confirmed on the ground, though some implicated countries deny their citizens are participating in the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously claimed Russia does not need foreign fighters. The Russian defense ministry has yet to comment.
The map shows a recruitment poster that reads “To defend the Fatherland is our profession” at a bus stop in Moscow on April 13, 2023. Getty Images provides the image.
Why It Matters:
Since February 2022, Ukraine’s latest tally indicates Russia has suffered casualties of at least 1 million, including those killed and wounded. Zelensky highlights the use of foreign mercenaries by Russia to fill manpower shortages, escalating diplomatic tensions as countries deny involvement or face accusations of state sponsorship.
What To Know:
Zelensky stated on X that Ukrainian troops have reported participation from mercenaries who joined Russian forces from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries. He emphasized that “we will respond,” without providing further details.
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are former Soviet republics with close ties to Moscow. The I Want To Live project, which helps Russian soldiers surrender, published a list in April and May of around 1,000 citizens from both countries who signed contracts with the Russian armed forces.
Uzbekistan’s Prosecutor General’s Office and Ministry of Justice warn their citizens that fighting for another country is illegal. The average life expectancy of a Tajik contract soldier was about 140 days; many had been pressured or threatened with deportation due to being in Russia illegally.
Zelensky mentioned China following comments in April that “several hundred” soldiers were recruited from Moscow’s closest trading partner, though Beijing denied this. Pakistan’s foreign affairs ministry rejected Zelensky’s claims of nationals fighting for Russia as “baseless and unfounded.” The president did not specify which African countries had citizens fighting for Russia.
In April, the Russian media outlet Important Stories identified mercenaries from 48 countries recruited to fight in Ukraine, including Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, Nigeria, and Togo. Reports suggest that African students or former students have also been recruited by Russia, including from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic.
CNN reported in February that up to 15,000 Nepalese citizens could have been recruited by Russia, with Indian nationals also reportedly duped into fighting. Moscow and Pyongyang already admitted deploying thousands of North Korean troops to Russia’s Kursk region in response to Ukraine’s incursion there in 2024.
What People Are Saying:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: “Our warriors are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries. We will respond.”
What Happens Next:
Despite high losses in Ukraine, Russia continues to deploy 9,000 troops to the front every month. Recruitment of foreign nationals is likely to continue.
