Peruvians say they were promised jobs in Russia, but landed on the front lines in Ukraine
Peruvians Promised Jobs in Russia, Now on Ukraine Front Lines
Peruvians say they were promised jobs – Peruvians say they were promised stable employment in Russia, yet many have ended up fighting in Ukraine. In late January, Norma last saw her son at Lima’s airport, where he boarded a flight to Russia under the belief he would secure a job as a cook for the Russian military. He claimed the role would protect him from the war, provide income, and even offer Russian citizenship. Norma, however, felt uncertain. Her son, 31, had no experience with weapons and had never left Peru. “I wanted to keep him inside, but he had already made up his mind,” she told CNN. She considered contacting the police, though her son assured her he was simply traveling for work. “He said, ‘Mom, please understand, I’m just going as a cook,’ but a mother’s instinct always senses something is amiss.”
When Norma dropped him off, she noticed others waiting to join the same flight. These men refused to speak, leaving her with unanswered questions. “My son asked me not to embarrass him, to trust in his decision,” she recounted. “He left me heartbroken, and I still don’t know what happened next.” Her concerns were validated weeks later when her son sent videos showing him in combat gear, constructing makeshift shelters in a forest near the Ukrainian front. “He was digging trenches and working with other fighters,” she said. “I believed he was safe, but those videos made me realize he was already in the war.”
“I told him, ‘That’s a lie, you are going to fight on the front lines,’” Norma recalled. “He said to calm down, but I could hear explosions in the background. I didn’t know whether to believe him or not.”
Norma’s son is not the only Peruvian to fall for such promises. Reports indicate hundreds of Peruvians have been recruited into the Russian military through social media ads and local recruiters, who marketed jobs in Russia as secure and lucrative. Yet, many have found themselves in Ukraine, where they now face the realities of combat. Russia’s military has been expanding its ranks globally, offering high wages and bonuses to attract foreign recruits. In February, CNN revealed that men from African nations had been promised roles as drivers or security guards, only to be thrust into frontline action after arriving in Russia.
Peru’s Foreign Ministry, through Pedro Bravo of Peruvian Communities Abroad, acknowledged the issue. “They have limited resources and are desperate for opportunities,” Bravo explained. “Their understanding of global events is unclear, making them easier targets for deception.” This pattern echoes in other families. Rosa, a mother of three, described her 48-year-old husband’s journey to Russia. He had worked as a prison guard in Lima but had no military training. “He thought he would be safe as a security guard,” she said. “But now he’s in Ukraine, and we don’t know where he is.”
A Global Recruitment Strategy
Russia’s strategy to recruit foreign fighters has sparked international backlash. Kenya’s foreign minister visited Moscow in March to demand an end to the practice, calling it a form of human trafficking. The Russian embassy in Nairobi countered, stating the claims were “dangerous and misleading.” Meanwhile, Nepal banned travel to Ukraine and Russia after thousands volunteered for the war, fearing conscription. These responses highlight the growing concern over how Russia is leveraging economic desperation to expand its military presence.
Uncovering the Reality
As the Ukraine conflict drags on, the Russian military has intensified its recruitment efforts. Social media platforms have become critical tools, showcasing jobs in Russia as opportunities for a better life. However, the promises often mask the grim truth. Norma’s son is one of many Peruvians who have been misled, illustrating the disconnect between the assurances given and the combat they now face. Families like hers are left searching for answers, as the government struggles to provide clarity on the fate of their loved ones. The situation underscores the need for stricter oversight of recruitment programs to protect vulnerable citizens from being drawn into war zones under false pretenses.