Amnesty International has reported that Russia is increasingly using foreign fighters in its ongoing war with Ukraine, often through deceptive methods such as human trafficking and without proper informed consent. According to a report released on 10 September, the Russian military has been recruiting foreign soldiers since the war began, both within Russia and in other countries. Many recruits are lured with promises of civilian or non-combat roles, only to be forced into military service later. Some have signed contracts in languages they didn't understand, while others were misled about the nature of their duties. The report highlights that Russia is believed to have recruited soldiers from approximately 40 countries, including Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia. These foreign fighters are often integrated into assault units and deployed ahead of Russian troops. In the Lyman sector of eastern Ukraine, a strategic battleground, 30% of newly formed units are made up of mercenaries. Ukrainian authorities have published official Russian documents confirming the deaths of three Colombians and a Zimbabwean soldier, indicating the scale of foreign involvement. Ukraine claims to have identified 28,405 foreigners who signed contracts with the Russian army since the war began, though it estimates the actual number is higher. This figure is equivalent to the size of a medium European army, such as the Czech military. Ukrainian military intelligence predicts that an additional 18,500 foreign recruits will join by the end of the year, showing a significant increase in recruitment efforts. Russia has made it easier for foreigners to join the military by relaxing legal barriers and offering simplified procedures for granting Russian citizenship. Since June 2023, foreigners who have served in the army cannot be deported from Russia. Recruitment campaigns have been launched in multiple countries through social media, often disguised as job advertisements. About half of the international recruits are recruited on Russian soil, with Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan contributing around 7,000 recruits. Many of these individuals were coerced into signing military contracts after police visits to their homes or workplaces. While some countries have protested, including Kenya and India, Russia continues to seek new sources of foreign fighters. Cases are now emerging in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Vietnam, though these are still isolated compared to the larger numbers from countries like Nepal and Cuba. Latin American countries such as Peru, Brazil, and Colombia, as well as parts of Africa, have also been identified as sources of recruits. Some reports suggest the Orthodox Church may be involved in recruitment efforts, though foreign soldiers are typically not grouped by nationality and are often placed in front-line units where dangerous tasks are assigned. Many of these soldiers do not speak Russian, which increases their vulnerability in combat.