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

B100165/2026

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,

– having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas investigative reports by journalists have shed light on a growing campaign bringing men to Russia from countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, but also countries in Central Asia and Southeast Asia, based on false promises of civilian employment, study opportunities or non-combat service jobs in the military, only to be used as cannon fodder on the frontlines in Ukraine;

whereas reports point to a sophisticated Russian recruitment scheme based on a worldwide human trafficking network that uses social media platforms and rogue recruitment agencies to entice men to travel to Russia where they are then forcibly conscripted into the Russian army as they are made to hand in their passports and sign open-ended military service contracts in Russian without lawyers or translation provided;

whereas Ukraine stated in 2025 it believes more than 1,400 men from over 36 African countries have been recruited this way, with broader estimates suggesting that the real figure may reach 4,000 fighters; whereas several African nations have confirmed deaths of citizens having been coerced into fighting for Russia;

whereas accounts from those who managed to return after interventions from their governments stress African recruits are made to do the most dangerous duties on the front line and were victims of incessant racial abuse and discrimination;

Condemns Russia’s campaign of human trafficking of foreign nationals, in particular nationals of African states, into its armed forces to conduct its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine;

Demands that Russia immediately terminate all military activities in Ukraine, unconditionally withdraw all forces from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine and compensate Ukraine for damage caused to its people, land and infrastructure;

Underlines that human trafficking in situations of armed conflict is a severe human rights abuse and is recognized under international law as a potential war crime or a crime against humanity;

Urges the governments of the countries concerned to proactively warn their citizens of the dangers of traveling to Russia for job or education offers of any kind; implores them to enhance vigilance among immigration officers to intervene in cases of suspicious travel to Russia, as well as to investigate local rogue recruitment agencies for human trafficking crimes;

Calls on social media platforms, including Telegram and Meta, to take immediate steps to counteract the abuse of their services for these deceitful recruitment campaigns;

Compels the EU and its Member States to engage bilaterally and at the level of the African Union with counterparts to address this matter; calls on the Commission to consider options for EU-wide sanctions on those agencies involved in these human trafficking schemes;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, to the governments of the States concerned, and to the Russian authorities.