World · Europe · 8 hrs ago
UN inquiry says Russia coerced foreign recruits into its army
A UN inquiry says Russian authorities forced people from 29 countries into the army through deception or abduction.
The allegations concern Russia’s war against Ukraine, and many of the recruits are from African countries.
Ukrainian intelligence information cited in reports says nearly 700 men from Burundi were recruited in the past nine months, compared with 30 in all of 2025.
Ukraine says it has identified about 46,000 foreign recruits from 151 countries, including around 5,500 Africans.
The UN inquiry says African recruits are often sent into attacks and advances where losses are high.
Some people were reportedly lured with promises of civilian jobs or money, while those who refused faced threats of prison, beatings or death.
The UN inquiry also accuses Russia of war crimes over systematic attacks on energy infrastructure.
A UN commission of inquiry says Russian authorities coerced people from 29 countries into joining the Russian army through deception or abduction.
The commission says recruits who refused were threatened with imprisonment, beatings and death.
According to the UN, African recruits were mainly used in attacks and attempted advances, where losses were especially high.
Ukrainian intelligence information cited by Bild says Russia is actively recruiting in 29 countries, mostly in Africa.
Ukraine says it has identified about 46,000 foreign nationals from 151 countries who signed contracts with the Russian military, including about 5,500 Africans.
- Who
- Russian authorities and foreign recruits from 29 countries, including African recruits.
- What
- A UN inquiry says people were coerced into joining the Russian army through deception or abduction.
- When
- The report is described in an article published on October 26, 2026. The article also cites recruitment figures from 2025 and the following nine months.
- Where
- Russia and the war in Ukraine; recruitment is reported in 29 countries, mostly in Africa.
- Why
- Recruits were sought for Russia’s war against Ukraine. The sources say some were lured by promises of civilian jobs, high payments or Russian citizenship.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Russia reportedly recruited 30 men from Burundi and 65 from Zimbabwe during the year.
Nearly 700 men from Burundi were reportedly recruited.
Bild reported the UN inquiry’s allegations that Russian authorities coerced foreign recruits into the army.
- Countries under active recruitment
- 29
- Burundi recruits
- Nearly 700 in the last nine months, compared with 30 in 2025
- Zimbabwe recruits
- 530 this year, compared with 65 in the previous year
- Foreign military-contract signers
- About 46,000 people from 151 countries, according to Ukraine
- African signers
- About 5,500, according to Ukraine
What people are saying
Of 566 recruits, only three of us were left in the end.