Peru Probes 36 Russia Recruitment Complaints as Human Trafficking in Ukraine War
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jun 28
Peru Probes 36 Russia Recruitment Complaints as Human Trafficking in Ukraine War
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 28
Summary
Peru’s public prosecutor is investigating 36 complaints that Peruvians were deceived by false job offers in Russia and then forced into the war in Ukraine.
At least 247 Peruvian government requests to Moscow have sought information and the safe return of citizens after families said recruiters promised cook or security jobs, $20,000 signing bonuses and $3,000-$4,000 monthly pay.
Twelve families told CNN their relatives vanished after sending messages from the front about drone attacks, hunger, punishment and rushed Russian-language contracts they said they could not understand.
Lawyer Percy Salinas estimates at least 800 Peruvians may be fighting for Russia, while one named recruiter denied trafficking and Russia has said it respects foreigners who choose to serve.
Peru says its options are limited once citizens sign Russian military contracts, leaving families protesting in Lima and many recruits stranded or missing on the battlefield.
With governments powerless to help, how can foreign recruits escape Russia's brutal war machine?
Why is Russia trafficking impoverished men from over 130 countries to fight its war in Ukraine?
Exploited and Deceived: How Russia Recruited 27,000 Foreigners—Including Hundreds of Peruvians—Into Its War on Ukraine
Overview
Peru is urgently responding to the deceptive recruitment of its citizens to fight in Ukraine, launching a major human trafficking investigation and warning the public about exploitative job offers. This action comes amid growing pressure from families in Lima, who fear their loved ones were lured into frontline combat under false pretenses. The Peruvian government is seeking answers from Russian authorities and is committed to repatriating affected citizens. These efforts highlight the complex diplomatic and legal challenges Peru faces as it works to protect its vulnerable population from international exploitation and bring its people home safely.