Russian shadow army. North Korean soldiers are no longer enough for Putin. Now it attracts fighters from Arab countries. They have no idea what awaits them
Russia needs soldiers, but refuses to draft more of its own citizens. So now he employs men from poor countries with false promises of wealth and stability.
The Los Angeles Times reports that several thousand men from Iraq, Yemen, Algeria and Jordan have already joined the Russian armyto fight in Ukraine. Recruiters resort to deceptive practices. They pose as travel agents or employment brokers and attract young foreigners through Telegram channels that have tens of thousands of followers.
The promise of a better life
These men are told that a year of “service” in the Russian war will provide them with good pay, free health care and citizenship. For a taxi driver in Baghdad, Iraq, or a street vendor in Sana'a, Yemen such offers may sound like a lifesaver. In fact, they often end in death — or a trench on the Ukrainian front.
The Los Angeles Times describes the story of a 54-year-old Jordanian who accepted such an offer. After arriving in Russia, he was forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. The man was denied an interpreter and was not given WiFi access to translate the contract using his phone. He was promised a position as a cook or driver, but instead he was sent directly to the front line in Ukraine.
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Similar cases have been reported in many Arab countries, where recruiters take advantage of poverty, unemployment and social marginalization. Men are being used as cheap labor in one of the most brutal wars in Europe since World War II.
Arab recruits are not the only ones
Citizens of Arab countries are not the only ones fighting in Putin's war against Ukraine. The number of foreign fighters in the ranks of the Russian army is estimated to be in the tens of thousands.
In India, NDTV reported in early 2025 that at least 126 Indian citizens had fought for Russia and 12 of them were killed. Survivors told the BBC that they had no military training and were sent straight to the front, where they had to face drones, snipers and minefields with only small amounts of food and medicine at their disposal.
According to Ukrainian officials, approximately 20,000 people are already serving under Russian command. fighters from Cuba. President Volodymyr Zelensky warned last week that Cuban mercenaries may soon constitute the largest foreign contingent in the war. CBS News obtained footage showing captured Cuban soldiers being held by Ukrainian forces.
The Kremlin's recruitment of poor foreigners reflects a broader strategy of “outsourcing” bloodshed to men from countries where difficult living conditions compel them to come to Russia.
This exploitation of poor people around the world shows how far Vladimir Putin's regime is willing to goto continue the war of aggression against Ukraine. The result is a global web of fraud that turns economic despair into a weapon to serve Moscow's imperial ambitions.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
