Peru Investigates Human Trafficking Ring Luring Citizens to Fight for Russia in Ukraine
Danai Nesta Kupemba
Peruvian prosecutors have launched an investigation into a human trafficking network accused of deceiving citizens with false job offers in Russia, only to send them to the front lines in Ukraine to fight for Russian forces. Lawyer Percy Salinas said 13 Peruvian citizens have died and around 600 have been lured since October last year. Families protested outside the Foreign Ministry in Lima, demanding repatriation.
Peru has opened an investigation into an alleged human trafficking network that lured its citizens with fake job promises in Russia, but actually sent them to fight in Russia's war against Ukraine, according to a statement from the prosecutor's office.
The prosecutor's office said in a statement on May 2 that individuals were recruited through fraudulent job offers for security personnel and other roles in Russia, with promises of financial compensation. The investigation will focus on charges of human trafficking and aggravated human trafficking.
Lawyer Percy Salinas, representing families of those sent to the front lines in Ukraine, told local television channel N that 13 Peruvian citizens have died in the war in Ukraine so far, according to AFP. Salinas said individuals were allegedly promised monthly salaries of between $2,000 and $3,000 and estimated that around 600 Peruvians have been lured since October last year to fight for Russia.
In a statement issued on May 1, the Russian Embassy in Lima acknowledged that Peruvian citizens had signed contracts to join the Russian armed forces. Peru's Foreign Ministry said it had asked the Russian embassy to clarify the situation and provide information on the whereabouts and health status of those serving in the Russian military. The ministry noted that Peruvian citizens must obtain permission from the Foreign Ministry before serving in foreign armed forces.
Families of some victims, who believe they were recruited under false pretenses to fight in Ukraine, protested outside the Foreign Ministry in Lima on May 1, demanding the repatriation of their relatives. Peru is the latest country to complain about Russia's fraudulent recruitment of foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian estimates from February, over 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries are believed to be fighting alongside Russian forces. Russia has also previously acknowledged recruiting soldiers from North Korea, with thousands reportedly killed or wounded in combat, as part of a military agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang.