Amnesty Says Russian Mercenaries Target Sierra Leoneans for Ukraine War

Amnesty International says Russian-linked recruiters are targeting vulnerable Sierra Leoneans, along with nationals from Somalia, South Africa and Egypt, offering jobs and economic opportunities to recruit them into Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.

The rights group says the pattern resembles human trafficking, with some recruits reportedly having their passports confiscated on arrival in Russia.

Amnesty says some Sierra Leoneans recruited this way have since been captured by Ukrainian forces on the front lines, with several saying they were recruited under duress and given only basic military training before deployment.

Ukraine reported in April that over 28,000 foreign nationals are fighting for Russia.

Amnesty is raising serious concerns over trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable jobseekers abroad.

Russia’s military has not responded to the allegations.