One-In-Three 'Russian' POWs Captured By Ukraine Now Foreigners

That approximately one-third of soldiers fighting for Russia who are captured as POWs by Ukrainian forces are now citizens of foreign countries in Africa, the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East and Latin America confirms reports that the Kremlin is struggling to replace casualties with Russian citizens. 

Many of the foreigners claim to have been tricked or lied to about jobs for which they were recruited, but others appear to have taken a calculated risk to get a Russian residency permit or passport which would enable them to eventually emigrate to western Europe. Whatever the reason, the reported death or injury rates for foreigners surpasses those of native Russians and the foreigners are never accepted for prisoner swaps. JL

Interfax Ukraine reports:

A third of prisoners of war in the Russian military are foreign citizens whom Russia has recruited to fight in the war against Ukraine, stated Andriy Biletsky, commander of the 3rd Army Corps of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. Among the foreigners fighting on the Russian

side are citizens of equatorial Africa, India, Pakistan, the Middle East, and Latin America. "This includes equatorial Africa, India and Pakistan and the Middle East. Latin America is the least represented, mainly Colombia, sometimes Venezuela. "Mostly, they’re either (former) cartel members or, conversely, former police officers." The main reason foreigners join the Russian army is financial incentives, and promises of Russian citizenship.

About a third of prisoners of war in the Russian military are foreign citizens whom Russia has recruited to fight in the war against Ukraine, stated Andriy Biletsky, commander of the 3rd Army Corps of the Operational Command Skhid (East) of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, in an interview with American MAGA blogger Laura Loomer.

"Currently, approximately one in three prisoners is a foreigner," Biletsky said, responding to a question about Russia’s recruitment of foreign citizens into combat operations.

According to him, among the foreigners fighting on the Russian side are citizens of equatorial Africa, India, Pakistan, the Middle East, and Latin America.

"This includes equatorial Africa, to a lesser extent India and Pakistan, the Middle East, a wide variety of countries, and also Latin America. Latin America is perhaps the least represented. It’s mainly Colombia, sometimes Venezuela," the corps commander noted.

Biletsky explained that among the foreigners captured, there are representatives of various categories—in particular, people associated with criminal groups, as well as former law enforcement officers.

"Mostly, they’re either cartels or, conversely, former police officers," he said.

According to the 3rd Army Corps commander, the main reason foreigners join the Russian army is financial incentives, and for some citizens of certain countries, promises of relocation to Russia and Russian citizenship are also a factor.

He also noted that Russia is recruiting foreign citizens to fight in the war amid significant losses and the need to bolster its troops.