The Attorney General’s Office of Peru has launched an investigation into a human trafficking network targeting the country’s citizens for recruitment into the Russian military, DW reported.
The probe follows reports that hundreds of Peruvians – including former police officers and soldiers – were lured online by promises of well-paid employment in Russia, with monthly salaries ranging from $2,000 to $3,000.
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Upon arrival in Russia, many of these recruits were allegedly coerced into participating in combat operations against Ukraine. Percy Salinas, a lawyer representing the families of the victims, stated that approximately 600 Peruvians may have departed for Russia since October 2025.
To date, at least 13 Peruvian nationals are confirmed to have been killed in the conflict.
The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested information from the Russian Embassy regarding the whereabouts of its citizens. While the Russian diplomatic mission in Lima confirmed that some Peruvians had signed military contracts, it maintained that they did so voluntarily and legally.
The case in Peru reflects a broader global pattern of Russian recruitment efforts identified by Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR).
According to HUR, Russia has recruited nearly 3,000 citizens from across Africa – including Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria – often deploying them as assault troops with minimal training. Intercepted communications released by HUR suggest that Russian commanders have used physical violence and intimidation to force reluctant foreign recruits into high-risk operations.
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Additionally, the US State Department has estimated that between 1,000 and 5,000 Cuban nationals are currently serving in the Russian armed forces, characterizing them as “pawns” in the ongoing war.
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