On Human trafficking and grave human rights violations linked to the recruitment of non-Russian nationals, in particular Africans, for Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine

on Human trafficking and grave human rights violations linked to the recruitment of non-Russian nationals, in particular Africans, for Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine

B100157/2026

European Parliament resolution on Human trafficking and grave human rights violations linked to the recruitment of non-Russian nationals, in particular Africans, for Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine

(2026/2641(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia and Ukraine,

– having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

Whereas credible investigative reports document the coercive recruitment of foreign nationals for Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, in particular from Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America ;

Whereas thousands of those non-Russian nationals are misled regarding the nature of the work offered, the conditions of employment, or the risks involved, and are subsequently deployed into arms production facilities or Russia’s invasion operations ;

Whereas several African states have publicly denounced networks sending their citizens to fight for Russia ; whereas Ukrainian authorities estimate that at least 1 780 Africans from 36 countries are fighting alongside the Russian army;

Whereas the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, in Tatarstan, has been producing drones for the war in Ukraine ; whereas young African women have found themselves working on production lines, lured by a misleading vocational training program and shortly after confiscated passport ;

Whereas Putin has made all military contracts indefinite and prohibited soldiers from being discharged or demobilized unless they reach a certain age or became disabled as a result of injury ;

Whereas approximately 18,000 foreign fighters from 128 countries have been recruited for the war; whereas Russia taps into existing migrant labour networks to lure them with false job promises and send them to the front line ;

Whereas in December 2025, Colombian President Petro pointed to the situation of Colombians fighting in Ukraine;

Whereas both Russia and Ukraine make use of foreign mercenaries or foreign fighters ; whereas reliance on external recruitments is not a sustainable solution;

Expresses grave concern over documented recruitment practices targeting nationals from Africa and other regions illegally channelled into combat in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine or into work within Russia’s military-industrial complex;

Condemns these human trafficking and forced labour practices ; Stresses that use of deception, abuse of a position of vulnerability and restrictions on freedom of movement for the purpose of labour exploitation are crimes against internation law and violates International Labour Organisation conventions;

Stresses that ending Russia’s war of aggression is essential to putting an end to the human trafficking and grave human rights violations linked to the recruitment of non-Russian nationals ; calls EU to work towards achieving this goal in accordance with international law

Expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims and all those exploited workers ; calls on Member States to ensure their protection and assistance ;

Reaffirms its strong support for international accountability mechanisms addressing violations of international law linked to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;

Underlines that the use of foreign mercenaries increases the risk of human rights violations and impunity ; notes further that foreign recruits are often considered expendable personnel sent to the frontline ;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, Member States, and the Russian authorities.