One in Ten Russian POWs in Ukraine Is Foreign National

One in ten Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine is a citizen of a third country.

The Ukrainian government project I Want to Live reported that, as of September 2026, Russian POWs in Ukraine include citizens of 55 countries.

According to the project, nearly 29,000 foreign nationals have signed contracts to serve in Russia’s armed forces since 2022. Most of them come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Under diplomatic pressure and amid opposition from other countries, Russia has halted the recruitment of foreign nationals in 39 countries, including China, India, Egypt, Kenya, and Pakistan.

Despite this, the Kremlin has shifted its focus and stepped up efforts to recruit people from South America, Central Asia, and Africa.

In the first nine months of this year, more foreign nationals were captured by Ukraine than during the entire year of 2025. They include citizens of Argentina, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Honduras, Vietnam, and Mongolia.

It is worth recalling that Ukraine handed over two North Korean soldiers to South Korea after Ukrainian forces captured them during fighting in Russia’s Kursk region.