Kremlin Exploits Migrants to Fuel War, Plans 18,500 Recruits – Ukrainian Intelligence

Russia plans to recruit 18,500 foreigners in 2026, using quotas, pressure, and legal vulnerability to fuel its war effort, according to Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR). Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A group of 11 South African men allegedly lured to fight alongside Russian soldiers in the war against Ukraine arrive at King Shaka International Airport in Durban on Feb. 25, 2026. (Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russia plans to recruit about 18,500 foreign nationals into its army in 2026, according to Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR). According to HUR ’s “I Want to Live” surrender hotline project, the Kremlin is intensifying efforts to enlist foreigners – including migrants – into the Russian military, adding that Russian authorities have conducted checks across all federal districts to identify foreign men aged 18 to 60. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The inspections were carried out by the Main Organizational and Mobilization Directorate of the Russian General Staff in coordination with the interior ministry’s Service for Citizenship and Registration of Foreign Citizens. “Specific mobilization targets have been set for military commissariats: to recruit between 0.5% and 3.5% of the total number of foreigners in each region for the war against Ukraine . Recruitment is taking place through 97 contract service selection points,” the report says. According to HUR, the largest number of such points is located in the Central Military District (30), followed by the Moscow and Southern districts (21 each), the Eastern District (14), and the Leningrad District (11). “In total, in 2026 the Russian Defense Ministry plans to recruit at least 18,500 foreign citizens,” the report adds. The Russian military is primarily targeting citizens of Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Other Topics of Interest All Manner of Drone Strikes, Food Scandal, Stingers and P1-Suns Stefan Korshak, Kyiv Post’s military correspondent, shares his perspective on recent developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine. Recruitment efforts are also underway abroad, particularly in Bangladesh, Chad, Sudan, Burundi, and other low-income countries in Africa and Asia. “In addition to official recruitment centers, regional enlistment is carried out by pseudo-private military structures controlled by Russian special services, particularly the GRU [Main Intelligence Directorate], including Redut, Konvoy, Wagner-2, Potok, Russian Fighting Brothers, Fakel, Patriot, Plamya, Sokol, and Veterany,” HUR reports. The agency said recruitment schemes go beyond promises of money, benefits, and fast-tracked Russian citizenship, and often involve pressure and coercion. HUR said Russia is also exploiting the legal vulnerability of migrants, including expired tourist or student visas, the inability to extend visas or legalize residency in time, and administrative detention for migration violations. “In such conditions – often deliberately created by the Russian regime – foreigners are offered a so-called ‘alternative’: participation in the war. In reality, it is a choice between prison sentences, in some cases up to eight years, and signing a military contract,” the report says. HUR warned foreign nationals against traveling to Russia or seeking employment there. “A trip to Russia is a real chance to end up in an assault unit of ‘suicide bombers’ and ultimately die on Ukrainian soil,” it said. In early March, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin signed a law banning the extradition of foreign citizens and stateless persons who serve or have served under contract in the Russian army. The legislation prohibits their extradition for criminal prosecution or the enforcement of court sentences if they took part in combat during their service. The measure effectively shields foreign nationals fighting on Russia’s side in the war against Ukraine, even though participation in foreign conflicts is a criminal offense in many countries – including some friendly to Moscow. Foreign citizens have been allowed to sign contracts with Russia’s defense ministry since November 2022, while stateless persons became eligible in July 2024. From January 2024, foreign recruits and their families were granted a simplified path to Russian citizenship, waiving requirements such as language tests and a five-year residency requirement. Since November 2025, even discharge documents or medical rulings declaring a soldier unfit for service can be used to apply for citizenship – provided the applicant fought in the war against Ukraine. There are no official figures on the number of foreign fighters in Russia’s ranks, but according to The Telegraph, Russia had recruited around 18,000 individuals from 128 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with at least 3,300 reportedly killed by the end of 2025. Several countries – including Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Jordan, and Kenya – have demanded that Moscow stop recruiting their citizens. While Russia has signaled willingness to address these concerns, the legal advocacy group Military Advocates said the defense ministry is facing growing difficulties in recruiting new contract soldiers. In July 2025, Putin also signed a decree allowing foreign nationals to serve in the Russian Armed Forces under military contracts during mobilization. Previously, such service was limited to periods of emergency, martial law, or active conflict. The new law further allows highly qualified specialists who have reached the maximum service age to extend contracts with Russian intelligence and security agencies, including the Federal Security Service (FSB). Julia is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.