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Families of Peruvians Recruited by Russia Protest in Lima
🇨🇱 Chile /Culture & Society

Families of Peruvians Recruited by Russia Protest in Lima

From Cooperativa · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Relatives of Peruvians recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine protested outside the Russian embassy in Lima, demanding information and the return of their loved ones.
  • They denounced that recruited individuals are treated inhumanely, with one soldier reporting severe injuries and lack of medical care.
  • Families also criticized Peruvian authorities for inaction regarding the recruiters, who they accuse of human trafficking.

Families of Peruvians recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine gathered outside the Russian embassy in Lima, demanding answers and the safe return of their relatives. Many have been without information for months, particularly concerning those who were injured. The protesters expressed deep frustration with Russia's perceived indifference and inhumane treatment of the recruits, whom they described as being treated like "slaves."

Russia is totally indifferent, it is inhumane, they think they are slaves and have no rights.

— NormaA representative of the victims' group, describing Russia's treatment of recruited Peruvians.

One recruited Peruvian, identified as José, communicated via a video call from a hospital near Moscow. He reported sustaining severe injuries, including shrapnel lodged in his heart and pulmonary artery, following a missile strike that also cost a fellow Latin American recruit a leg. José stated he had not received adequate medical attention, with only a hand wound treated, and expressed concern about being sent back to the front lines despite his critical condition.

I have not been operated on, I have shrapnel in my heart, in the pulmonary artery, in my head.

— JoséDescribing his severe injuries from a hospital bed in Russia.

His sister, Carolina Fernández, explained that José initially went to Russia for cleaning and paramedic work but was later forced into military training and deployed to the front. She is distressed that he is being told to "survive" with the shrapnel near vital organs and faces redeployment. José is aware of the risks but hopes his testimony will prevent others from suffering the same fate.

They told him he has to survive with that and will be sent back to the front line on August 15th.

— Carolina FernándezExpressing distress over her brother José's medical condition and impending redeployment.

The families also directed criticism towards Peruvian authorities, accusing recruiters of "scamming and deceiving" their loved ones and engaging in human trafficking. They lamented that despite filing complaints months ago, the recruiters remain free, and their cases are stalled in the prosecutor's office. Protesters held signs with slogans demanding the return of their relatives and justice, calling for humanity.

Those scammers who are deceiving, taking advantage of others' pain, promising because of the lack of opportunities here.

— NormaCriticizing the recruiters who allegedly prey on vulnerable individuals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cooperativa in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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