UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Mar. 5 — There are more mercenaries on the Kharkiv oblast than in other areas, said Viktor Trehubov, a spokesperson for a military group responsible for the Kharkiv oblast, during the national telethon.

According to Trehubov, mercenaries are a significant part of the Russian army. Some of them were “caught” on the streets and sent to war, while others signed contracts voluntarily.

Russians are recruiting people from India, African, and Latin American countries, said Trehubov. 

In December 2025, the Russian army recruited over 150 foreigners from 25 countries, said Oleh Ivashchenko, Ukraine’s intelligence chief.

Read more

  • Russia recruits over 1,000 citizens of Kenya to fight against Ukraine

⚡ The fifth year of the Russian full-scale invasion started, so it’s been four years since most of us here at our Kharkiv-based newsroom became war reporters. Please consider supporting our journalism via a one-time donation — or join our community.