Panamanian mother seeks help locating son who disappeared after Russia job offer

A Panamanian mother, Yané, is pleading for help to locate her son, Víctor, who vanished a month ago after accepting a supposed offer to join a police training academy in Russia. She fears he has been drawn into the conflict in Ukraine.

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That he be returned to me, however he is.

Yané recounted that Víctor was contacted via TikTok in late May with a job offer, with no mention of military involvement. He surprised her with a video call from a plane bound for Russia, expressing frustration with unemployment in Panama. Communication became sporadic after his arrival.

According to his mother, Víctor reported being detained with other foreigners for refusing to be sent to the front lines in Ukraine. He sent messages describing beatings, mistreatment, and lack of food, stating that the only way out was to agree to fight. Photographs allegedly show Víctor with bruises and swelling.

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I was held prisoner. They told us it was for 10 days because they wanted to send us to the front, and I didn't come for that.

His last message was a distressing "Mom, they are going to throw me to the front." Since then, Yané has had no contact. A man claiming to have been with Víctor in Russia reportedly told her that Víctor was sent to the front lines against his will and subsequently died, though this remains unconfirmed.

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They beat us, they are mistreating us, they are not giving us food. The only way to get out is to accept going to the front.

Panamanian Foreign Ministry officials stated they are monitoring the situation and verifying information with their embassy in Moscow and Russia's embassy in Panama. The Russian government's position is that contracts signed by these citizens were voluntary. The ministry urges the public to be wary of foreign job offers that may conceal recruitment for armed conflicts.

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Mom, they are going to throw me to the front.