Amnesty International says Russia's foreign army recruitment amounts to human trafficking

A report released this week by a coalition of human‑rights organizations alleges that the recruitment of foreign nationals into Russia’s armed forces frequently meets the legal definition of human trafficking. The document, compiled from testimonies, court filings and interviews with former recruits, claims that many individuals are lured with promises of employment or citizenship, subjected to coercive contracts, and then forced to serve in combat zones without the ability to leave or seek legal recourse.

The advocates cite cases involving citizens from Central Asia, the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, noting that recruiters often operate through informal networks that conceal the true nature of the service. According to the report, the lack of transparent recruitment processes, the use of deception, and the imposition of severe penalties for desertion constitute elements of trafficking under international law. The coalition urges Russian authorities and the international community to investigate the allegations, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide protection for victims.