Over 3,400 Tajik citizens went to the war in Ukraine from Russia — I Want to Live project

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has drawn in individuals from across Central Asia, a reality starkly highlighted by recent data from Ukraine's 'I Want to Live' project. This initiative, aimed at assisting Russian and Belarusian soldiers who wish to surrender, has compiled a list of 12,666 Central Asian nationals who have signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense to fight in Ukraine. Among these, Tajikistan stands out with 3,407 citizens reportedly sent to the combat zone.

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The Ukrainian state project I Want to Live has data on 3,407 Tajik citizens who were sent to the combat zone in Ukraine under a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense.

This statistic is particularly concerning for Tajikistan. While our nation's criminal code strictly prohibits mercenary activities, carrying a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, there appears to be a troubling lack of enforcement regarding citizens fighting in Ukraine. Officials have cited that many Tajik citizens also hold Russian citizenship, complicating prosecution. However, this explanation does little to address the underlying issue: Tajik citizens are being drawn into a foreign conflict, sometimes under duress, sometimes lured by promises of citizenship and financial benefits, while their own government seems unable or unwilling to hold them accountable.

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Uzbekistan holds the leading position in the number of identified contract soldiers, with the personal data of 4,853 citizens of the republic fighting on the side of Russia established. Tajikistan (3,407 people) and Kazakhstan (2,389 people) also entered the top three.

From our perspective at Asia-Plus, this situation raises critical questions about state sovereignty, citizen protection, and the influence of external powers. While Ukraine's project provides data on those fighting for Russia, information on Central Asians fighting for Ukraine remains scarce. This asymmetry in reporting underscores the complex geopolitical landscape. The fact that Tajik citizens are fighting in Ukraine, regardless of the circumstances of their recruitment, is a matter of national concern, reflecting the deep ties and pressures that exist between Tajikistan, Russia, and the broader region. The lack of domestic prosecution, despite clear legal statutes, suggests a complex interplay of legal, political, and social factors that warrant closer examination.

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In Tajikistan, the participation of the republic’s citizens in hostilities abroad entails criminal liability under Article 401 (“Mercenaries”) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan, which provides for punishment of up to 20 years in prison.