UKRAINE, Sep. 25 — One in ten Russian soldiers held as prisoners of war (POW) in Ukraine is a citizen of another country, said the Ukrainian intelligence project “I Want to Live,” which helps Russian soldiers safely surrender to Ukrainian forces.

According to the project, in 2026, Russia recruited 18,500 foreign citizens, and as of September, Russian POWs included citizens from 55 countries around the world.

In total, since 2022, nearly 29,000 foreigners have signed contracts with the Russian armed forces.

“I Want to Live” added that the Russians are recruiting people from among the poorest segments of the population, promising high pay and easy work. “Instead, after they signed the contract, Russia sent them into the most dangerous sections of the front,” the project said.

Thanks to diplomatic pressure, media coverage of the recruitment efforts, and opposition from other countries’ governments, Russia has suspended recruitment of citizens from 39 countries, including China, India, Egypt, Kenya, Pakistan, Ghana, and other countries in Africa and Asia.

But Russia continues to recruit foreigners into its army, shifting its priorities, the project added.

Russia is currently using countries in South America, Central Asia, and Africa. In the first nine months of 2026, more foreigners were taken prisoner by Ukraine than in all of 2025. Among them are citizens of Argentina, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Honduras, Vietnam, Mongolia, and many other countries.

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