From Job Offers to the Front Line: How Foreign Workers Are Being Tricked into Russia’s War

A few months ago, authorities in Ghana discovered that several citizens who had travelled abroad to find work had ended up fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine. Similar cases have also been reported in Nepal, India, Cuba and several African countries.

Most of these people never planned to become soldiers. They wanted better jobs, higher incomes and a chance to support their families. Instead, many found themselves involved in one of the world’s biggest wars.

Before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia attracted thousands of migrant workers from Asia and Africa. They worked in construction, farming, transport and other industries. Today, many of these same communities have become a target for military recruiters.

Russia needs more soldiers, but another large mobilisation would likely be unpopular at home. Recruiting foreigners gives the military another source of manpower while reducing pressure on Russian citizens.

According to Ukrainian officials, 28,405 foreign citizens are currently serving in the Russian armed forces. Around 3,000 of them are believed to be from African countries, and at least 486 have already been killed.

The number of foreign recruits has continued to grow. Around 3,800 joined the Russian army in 2023. More than 8,200 signed contracts in 2024, and by 2025 the number had reached almost 14,000.

Recruiters often focus on countries that already have strong ties with Russia. Many people speak Russian, have relatives who have worked there or follow Russian media. This makes recruitment offers seem more believable.

Instead of contacting people directly, recruiters often use local agents or people the recruits already know. A job offer from a trusted person is much easier to believe than a message from a stranger.

Many people first see these offers on Telegram, Facebook or WhatsApp. The advertisements promise good salaries, legal jobs, fast visas and, in some cases, an opportunity to get Russian citizenship.

Military service is often hidden at the beginning. People believe they are applying for jobs in construction, security or other civilian work. Only after arriving in Russia do they learn that they are expected to sign a military contract.

The financial offers can be hard to ignore. Recruiters promise a US$2,000 payment for signing a contract, a monthly salary of about US$2,200, medical insurance and Russian citizenship for both the recruit and close family members. For someone struggling to find work, these promises can sound like a way to build a better future.

After signing the contract, many recruits find that reality is very different from what they were promised.

Some discover that the job they agreed to does not exist. Others are pressured into joining combat units. Once they enter the Russian military system, they have very little control over their situation and almost no legal protection.

Many of the promises made during recruitment are difficult to enforce. Analysts say contracts signed before leaving home often become meaningless. Some recruits report that salaries and bonuses are delayed or never paid. If part of the money is supposed to be paid only after the contract ends, many soldiers never live long enough to receive it.

This is one reason why foreign recruits, especially those from African countries, are particularly vulnerable. Far from home, with limited knowledge of the Russian language and legal system, they have few ways to defend their rights or challenge the conditions of their service.

According to Ukrainian officials and independent analysts, many African recruits are sent to frontline assault units, where casualties are especially high. They are often used to replace battlefield losses and take part in the most dangerous attacks.

Foreign recruits make up only a small part of Russia’s armed forces, but they help replace losses and maintain the flow of new soldiers. Their numbers are not large enough to change the course of the war, but they give Russia additional manpower without announcing another large mobilisation.

Many foreign soldiers also face practical problems on the battlefield. Some receive only basic military training before being deployed. Others do not speak Russian well enough to understand orders or communicate with their commanders. Families of those killed often report problems receiving the compensation they were promised.

Recruitment networks have become more organised, making fake job offers harder to recognise. Professional-looking advertisements, fake employment agencies and trusted local contacts can make these offers seem real, especially for people who are desperate to find work abroad.

Experts advise anyone considering a job in another country to check the employer through official sources, read the contract carefully and be cautious of offers that promise unusually high salaries, fast visas or an easy path to citizenship. If a job offer sounds too good to be true, it deserves extra attention.

For many people, what looks like the chance to build a better life can end on the battlefield. Spending a little more time checking information before accepting a job offer could prevent a decision with life-changing consequences.