Russia Refuses to Recover Captured Foreign Fighters, Leaving Hundreds in Ukrainian Detention

Hundreds of foreign nationals who fought for the Russian army and were subsequently captured by Ukrainian forces face an uncertain legal future. Moscow has refused to include them in prisoner exchanges, leaving many in a state of administrative limbo with no clear prospects for repatriation, according to an investigation by Le Monde.

Ukrainian authorities state that detainees come from 48 different countries, with some held for years while Russia shows no interest in their recovery. Many of these combatants were migrants already in Russia who were enticed by the prospect of quickly obtaining Russian citizenship and substantial financial rewards by joining the military for the war in Ukraine. Instead of regularizing their status and building a future in Russia, they found themselves captured and not prioritized by Moscow.

Petro Yatsenko, spokesperson for Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, reported that over 28,000 foreign citizens signed contracts with the Russian army after the full-scale invasion began, with nearly 13,000 originating from Central Asian countries. "We have identified prisoners of war from 48 different nationalities," he stated.

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We have identified prisoners of war from 48 different nationalities.

The captured fighters include citizens from Kenya, Mali, Egypt, Turkey, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Republic of Congo. Ukrainian authorities state these individuals are housed in a separate center where they can communicate in their native languages with others in similar situations. Occasionally, citizens from EU member states who fought for Russia are also captured. Since the war's start, Ukraine has reported capturing citizens from Greece, Slovakia, Italy, Estonia, and Bulgaria.

Ukrainian officials highlight that the issue arises upon capture. Even if some have since obtained Russian citizenship, Moscow avoids including them in exchanges. While Russian soldiers from the Caucasus or Siberia frequently appear in images released after exchanges, individuals from Africa, South Asia, or Arab states are almost entirely absent. "Russia shows no interest in them during negotiations. The only exceptions were North Korean citizens," said Bohdan Ohrimenko, head of the Coordination Headquarters Secretariat for Prisoners.

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Russia shows no interest in them during negotiations. The only exceptions were North Korean citizens.