Peru is investigating the recruitment of citizens for the war against Ukraine - DW
Peruvian authorities have launched an investigation into a scheme to recruit citizens under the pretext of offering them jobs in Russia. People may have been deceived into being sent to fight in the war against Ukraine. This was reported by DW.
In Peru, law enforcement officials are investigating a case involving a possible scheme to recruit citizens who were lured with promises of work in Russia and subsequently sent to fight in the war against Ukraine. The investigation is being led by the Peruvian Attorney General’s Office, which has already classified the case as a potential instance of human trafficking under aggravating circumstances. Investigators are examining exactly how the recruiters operated and through which channels they approached people.
According to attorney Percy Salinas, who represents the families of the victims, hundreds of citizens may be involved. He claims that people, including former military personnel and police officers, were persuaded online to go to Russia with promises of high pay and stable employment. “People were offered salaries ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, but upon arrival, they found themselves in a combat zone,” the lawyer noted.
According to him, at least 13 Peruvians have already died while participating in the war, and a total of about 600 people may have traveled to Russia since last October. The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it had contacted the Russian Embassy requesting information on the whereabouts of its citizens who allegedly signed contracts to serve in the Russian Armed Forces.
The Russian Embassy in Lima stated that some Peruvian citizens allegedly signed contracts voluntarily; however, Peruvian investigators are verifying whether their decisions were truly informed and made without coercion.
The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement officials are mapping out the full recruitment chain and the possible role of intermediaries in various countries.
Russia continues to actively recruit foreigners for the war against Ukraine and plans to recruit over 18,000 more people in 2026. According to Ukrainian intelligence, this is a systematic practice that has already involved representatives from dozens of countries and is used to replenish losses on the front lines.
Russia uses foreigners for sabotage operations in Ukraine, recruiting them via Telegram for small sums of money. Afterward, arson and attacks are portrayed as “internal resistance” to fuel propaganda and create the illusion of instability within the country.
