Peruvians promised jobs in Russia, but landed on the front lines in Ukraine

4 hours ago

A Peruvian mother lost contact with her son after he was recruited through social media ads promising a cooking job for the Russian army, but he ended up on the front lines in Ukraine.
Russia has been recruiting foreign fighters from developing countries like Peru, Kenya, and Nepal with promises of high salaries and bonuses, often misleading them about the nature of the work.
Many recruits come from impoverished backgrounds and are deceived into signing Russian military contracts, leading to their forced participation in combat without proper training or payment.
Families of Peruvian recruits are protesting outside the Russian embassy in Lima, demanding information on their relatives' whereabouts, with reports of deaths and harsh conditions.
Peruvian authorities are investigating the recruitment as human trafficking, with at least 36 complaints and government requests to Russia for the safe return of citizens.
A Peruvian soldier in Russian-occupied Ukraine described being lured with a security guard job, forced to sign a contract he couldn't understand, and now facing injury, abandonment, and despair.

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