Ukraine Says Russia Recruited 24,000 Foreign Fighters, About Half From Asia

Ukraine’s POW Coordination Headquarters reports that Russia has recruited over 24,000 foreign fighters from 44 countries since February 2022—primarily from Central Asia—with significant reported casualties (e.g., at least 1,399 among Central Asian recruits and 275 among 751 Sri Lankans). Several countries have taken steps to prevent recruitment or investigate trafficking, while Russian ministries declined comment; CSIS estimates place Russian casualties at about 1.2 million through December 2025 and Ukraine’s at roughly half, though figures are uncertain. The report highlights recruitment via bribery, deception, and coercion, and individual cases of missing foreign fighters.