Ukrainian coordination HQ: Russia recruits thousands of foreign fighters in war

Russia has reportedly recruited at least 18,000 foreign nationals from 128 countries to fight in its ongoing war against Ukraine, with nearly 3,400 of them already killed in combat, according to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

Dmitry Usov, the secretary of the Coordination Headquarters, confirmed that the identities of these 18,000 foreign recruits are well-documented by Ukrainian authorities. The foreign fighters have been enlisted primarily to make up for heavy losses sustained by Russian forces on the front lines, Caliber.Az reports. 

Since 2023, Russia has expanded a global network of recruiters in a bid to bolster its ranks, with many foreign volunteers joining for financial incentives. However, Usov revealed that some recruits have been deceived or coerced into enlisting.

In addition to those volunteering, Ukraine is currently holding prisoners of war from 37 different countries. Russia, however, has not sought the exchange of these prisoners, with the exception of North Korean citizens, according to Usov.

The Coordination Headquarters also noted a significant decline in foreign recruitment for the Russian military in recent months. For instance, while nearly 1,000 Nepalese nationals enlisted in 2023 and 2024, only one Nepalese citizen joined in 2025, signaling a substantial reduction in international interest.

For the foreign recruits who find themselves in peril on the battlefield, Ukraine offers a potential way out. The "I Want to Live" project, which allows soldiers to voluntarily surrender, is presented as their best opportunity to survive, especially as many are being used as expendable forces by the Russian military.

By Sabina Mammadli