From Africa, Latin America and North Korea: The Kremlin plans to recruit a record 18,500 mercenaries to its army

The Main Intelligence Directorate reported that Russia plans to recruit a record 18,500 foreigners to its army in 2026. According to Ukrainian intelligence, foreign mercenaries remain an important resource for the Russian army amid significant losses in the war against Ukraine.

This was reported by the press service of the GUR.

Secretary of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Brigadier General Dmitry Usov, spoke during the discussion “Foreign Fighters in the Russian Army: How to Stop the Global Recruitment Scheme,” organized by the international organization Truth Hounds.

According to him, thousands of foreigners from different regions of the world are fighting as part of the Russian occupation army.

“The Russian occupation army includes more than 10,000 recruits from Central Asia, about 1,800 from South Asia, about 1,700 from Africa, and, according to various estimates, about 1,000 from Latin America, as well as about 14,000 from the DPRK,” said Dmitry Usov.

He said that in 2026, Russia plans to recruit a record 18,500 foreigners.

“This is an important resource for the aggressor state against the backdrop of massive losses of its own population in the war against Ukraine,” noted Dmytro Usov.

According to a representative of the Coordination Headquarters, the recruitment of foreigners into the Russian army strengthens transnational human trafficking networks and poses a threat to global security.

He also emphasized that responsibility for the consequences of the illegal recruitment of foreigners through coercion and deception lies with the Kremlin.

Separately, Dmitry Usov reported on losses among foreign mercenaries in the Russian army.

“The losses of foreign mercenaries of the Russian army in the “meat assaults” in the war against Ukraine, according to available data, amount to at least 5,149 people,” he said.

According to the general, some of the foreigners were captured by Ukrainian forces.

“Today, the Coordination Headquarters takes care of mercenaries from 48 countries: among the “top” countries are Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus,” added Dmitry Usov.

It was previously reported that the Russians are actively using their presence in the countries of the Global South to recruit mercenaries for the war against Ukraine.

Recall that Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakawa reported on 1,780 Africans from 36 countries who were involved in the war against Ukraine by Russia . According to him, 272 Ghanaian citizens have been involved in the war since 2022, 55 of them have died, and 2 more are in captivity.

By the way, Russia is increasing its influence in African countries, combining humanitarian initiatives with covert military recruitment . As of the end of 2025, more than 1,400 citizens from 36 African countries are fighting on the side of Moscow or are involved in work in the interests of the Russian defense-industrial complex.

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