According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (GUR), Russian security forces are increasingly resorting to the forced mobilisation of citizens of Central Asian countries, primarily Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, particularly among migrant workers who come to Russia in search of employment.
It has been reported that representatives of the Russian army resort to deception, recruiting foreigners for short-term contracts with promises of ‘quick earnings.’ In reality, this means sending them to a combat zone where the chances of success and survival are minimal. Most of these ‘contractors’ die shortly after arriving at the front.
Among the confirmed losses published by the Main Intelligence Directorate are:
- Umarov Syroziddin Sabirjanovich, born in Tashkent in 1984, private in the 164th separate motorised rifle brigade.
- Kholbuvozoda Muhammad Faizullo, born in 1984, call sign ‘Basmach,’ served in the 1st Motorised Rifle Regiment, signed a contract on 25 February 2025.
It is known that separate units are formed from mobilised migrants, which are mainly used in the most dangerous areas. According to Ukrainian intelligence estimates, they are openly thrown into exhausting assaults without proper supplies and training.
Even if someone manages to survive, returning home can be another sentence: in their countries of origin, such participants in the war against Ukraine face criminal prosecution for participating in the armed forces of a foreign state. In some cases, this can mean many years in prison.
According to Ukrainian intelligence representatives, this practice demonstrates not only a severe personnel shortage in the Russian army, but also the cynical use of the most socially vulnerable groups of the population as expendable material.