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The Guardian World1 min read
Peru probes trafficking of citizens to fight for Russia in Ukraine
TL;DR
Peru is investigating a human trafficking network that misled citizens into fighting in Russia's war in Ukraine under false job offers. Reports indicate that around 600 Peruvians have been recruited, with 13 confirmed deaths in the conflict.
Key points
- Peru investigates human trafficking for recruitment in Ukraine war
- Citizens were misled with false job offers in Russia
- Around 600 Peruvians have been recruited since last October
- 13 Peruvians have died in the conflict
- Promised salaries were between $2,000 and $3,000
Mentioned in this story
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Peru has launched an investigation into an alleged human trafficking network that lured citizens with false promises of employment in Russia, only for them to end up fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine, the public prosecutor’s office has said.
Individuals were “recruited through deceptive job offers to work as security agents and other roles” in Russia, “with the promise of financial compensation”, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement on Friday.
The investigation will focus on the alleged crimes of “human trafficking” and “aggravated human trafficking”, the office said.
Percy Salinas, a lawyer representing families of people who ended up on the front lines in Ukraine, told the local TV channel N that 13 Peruvians have died in the war in Ukraine so far, according to the AFP news agency.
Salinas said individuals were reportedly offered monthly salaries of between $2,000 and $3,000, and that an estimated 600 Peruvians have been lured since last October to fight for Russia.
In a statement released on Thursday, Moscow’s embassy in Lima acknowledged that Peruvians had signed contracts to join the Russian armed forces.
The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had asked the Russian embassy to clarify the situation and obtain information about the location and wellbeing of citizens serving in the Russian military. The ministry noted that Peruvian citizens are required to seek permission from the Foreign Ministry before serving in a foreign military.
The families of some of the victims who claimed they were recruited under false pretences to fight in Ukraine protested outside the ministry in Lima on Thursday, demanding their loved ones be repatriated.
Peru is the latest country to raise complaints against Russia over the deceptive recruitment of foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine.
More than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries are believed to be fighting alongside Russian forces, according to Ukrainian estimates from February.
Russia has also previously acknowledged enlisting soldiers from North Korea, thousands of whom are estimated to have been killed or wounded in battle, as part of a military pact agreed between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Q&A
What is the nature of the human trafficking investigation in Peru?
Peru's investigation focuses on a network that deceived citizens into fighting for Russia in Ukraine by offering fake job opportunities.
How many Peruvians have been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine?
Approximately 600 Peruvians have been lured to fight for Russia since last October.
What financial compensation were the recruited Peruvians promised?
Recruited individuals were promised monthly salaries ranging from $2,000 to $3,000.
