Olga Ivshina

A BBC investigation found that at least 3,589 foreign nationals from more than 40 countries have died fighting for Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including prisoners, migrants allegedly deceived or coerced into service, highly paid volunteers and North Korean troops. Ugandan security worker Edson Kamwesigye was reportedly recruited for what he believed was a security job, trained for combat and killed near Kupiansk; his family is still seeking the return of his remains. The report documents Russia’s recruitment of foreigners through prison contracts, large financial incentives and pressure on migrants, while noting that foreign nationals remain a small share of Russia’s total military deaths. Ukraine has also recruited foreign volunteers through its International Legion and other units, but faces similar manpower shortages after years of war.

A BBC investigation verified the deaths of at least 3,586 foreign nationals who fought for Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including 1,285 fighters from more than 40 countries and 2,304 North Korean soldiers. The dead included prisoners recruited in Russia, migrants who said they were deceived or pressured, economic volunteers, and North Korean troops deployed under a state agreement. NATO estimates that about 24,000 foreign fighters from 44 countries may be serving with Russian forces, while foreign troops also serve in Ukraine’s International Legion and other units. Financial incentives, prison recruitment, immigration pressure, and alleged deception have helped Russia attract personnel abroad, but foreign fighters remain a small minority of total Russian casualties. As Russia faces mounting losses and possible difficulty recruiting its own citizens, Moscow is expected to continue seeking recruits overseas.

Russian universities and technical colleges have become major recruitment hubs as the military seeks young drone operators to offset mounting casualties in Ukraine. Students are promised high pay and advanced technical roles, but many are instead sent to frontline units where drone operators face rising risks. Several young recruits, including Valery Averin, Vladislav Gorbunov and Rakhim Abdullin, were killed shortly after deployment, highlighting the gap between government assurances and battlefield realities. Investigations show recruitment pressure on underperforming students and suggest that contracts advertised as one‑year commitments cannot legally end during ongoing mobilization. BBC analysis indicates more than 230,000 confirmed Russian military deaths, with total losses likely exceeding 417,000, while Ukrainian losses also remain high. The campaign signals how deeply the war is reaching into civilian institutions and how vulnerable young volunteers are despite promises of safety and opportunity.

Russia has intensified efforts to recruit university, college and vocational students into new drone units as heavy battlefield losses continue, presenting the roles as short-term, technical and relatively safe. Testimonies from families of young recruits who died in Ukraine reveal broken promises and unsafe frontline deployment. Hundreds of drone operators have been confirmed killed, and experts estimate far higher overall Russian casualties. Recruitment drives have expanded across educational institutions, sometimes targeting vulnerable students or those facing expulsion. Legal experts warn that contracts marketed as one‑year terms are effectively open-ended under mobilisation rules. The strategy highlights the war's deepening reach into civilian life as the Kremlin seeks to replenish its forces.