Peruvian families demand action to rescue relatives sent to fight in Russia

Families of Peruvians allegedly lured to Russia with promises of lucrative employment are protesting outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lima, demanding a meeting with the foreign minister. They seek concrete government action to locate and repatriate their relatives, who they claim have been sent to fight in conflict zones.

According to lawyer Percy Salinas, who is representing the families, approximately 1,200 Peruvians may have been taken to Russia since 2024 under false pretenses of jobs as laborers, security guards, or construction workers. Instead of employment, these individuals were allegedly sent to active war zones. Salinas stated that many only manage to communicate with their families when they are injured and hospitalized.

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Some have lost arms or legs and, after recovering, are sent again to the war front.

"Some have lost arms or legs and, after recovering, are sent again to the war front," Salinas denounced. He indicated that the Foreign Ministry has identified about 40 Peruvians in Russian hospitals, but believes the actual number is higher due to lost documents or difficulties in locating individuals.

One relative shared that her brother is hospitalized in Moscow with a potential double amputation and pleaded for expedited repatriation or permission to travel for the necessary procedures. Another family member recounted that their brother, who went to Russia as a security agent, was sent to a war zone without prior notification and later reported dead via WhatsApp, though no proof was provided. The families are urgently seeking support from the Peruvian state, stating that their efforts to get information and assistance have been met with closed doors.

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We were told via WhatsApp that he had died, but they never sent us proof. We just ask that the State support us because all doors are closed to us.