russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been characterized by widespread civilian harm, destruction of infrastructure, and serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. However, the cruel impact of this war has extended further, affecting disadvantaged communities and vulnerable individuals globally, Amnesty International said in a report.
russia has recruited thousands of foreign nationals from low-income countries, as well as migrants and refugees already living in russia, to fight in its war in Ukraine. Recruitment has frequently involved deceptive, coercive and exploitative practices. Many recruits were lured by false promises of civilian employment, high salaries, legal status or russian citizenship, and promptly found themselves on the front line in Ukraine.Testimonies from prisoners of war and others describe contracts signed without informed consent, confiscation of passports, restrictions on freedom of movement, inadequate training and threats against those seeking to leave military service – practices that may amount to human trafficking.
Research into this subject was prompted by conversations with prisoners of war (POWs) held by Ukraine, during which nearly all third-country nationals complained about the abusive recruitment practices that brought them into the russian military forces and to the front line.
