Russia Recruits from Poorest Nations for Ukraine War, Offering Promises

Russia is reportedly intensifying its recruitment of men from the world's poorest countries to serve on the front lines in Ukraine, offering them substantial financial incentives. One tragic case involves Oscar Kagole Mutoka, a former Kenyan soldier who traveled to Russia in the summer of 2025 for work. His father, Charles Mutoka, tried to dissuade him, but Oscar sent only a photo in uniform a week later and was never heard from again. The family learned of his death later but never received his body, leaving them uncertain about his burial. "The worst is that we don't know if he is really buried or where. Or if his body was simply thrown into the forest in Russia," Charles Mutoka stated.

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The worst is that we don't know if he is really buried or where. Or if his body was simply thrown into the forest in Russia

Oscar Mutoka is one of an estimated 27,000 foreigners recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. A study by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Truth Hounds, and the Kazakh International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law reveals that Russia has established a global network for recruiting foreigners. "This recruitment targets people in economically, socially, and legally insecure situations. The methods used range from enticing offers and deception to coercion," explained Ilja Nusov, one of the study's authors, to DW.

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This recruitment targets people in economically, socially, and legally insecure situations. The methods used range from enticing offers and deception to coercion

For many individuals from the poorest regions, the promised salary from the Russian military is a primary motivator, seen as a chance to escape poverty and support their families. This was the case for Cuban citizen Joan Viondi Mendoza, who was promised a monthly salary of $2,000 USD, a significant sum compared to Cuba's average wage of just $20. Mendoza's brother, Michael Duro, who lives in the U.S. and is undergoing cancer treatment, recounted how Joan saw the Russian job offer as a way to emigrate and join him, overcoming financial and bureaucratic hurdles. "Joan called me and said he had found a way out. He told me about a 'project' in Russia," Duro said, adding that he tried in vain to dissuade his brother.

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Joan called me and said he had found a way out. He told me about a 'project' in Russia

In September 2023, Reuters documented young Cubans planning to go to Russia, including Mendoza, who told journalists, "I'm doing this so I don't starve in Cuba. They know exactly where they are going, and so do I." He showed reporters correspondence with a recruiter who stated, "This is a contract with the Russian army. You will receive our citizenship." Michael Duro later recounted that Joan Mendoza was sent to the front lines in Ukraine.

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I'm doing this so I don't starve in Cuba. They know exactly where they are going, and so do I