On the 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

B100166/2026

European Parliament resolution on the 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 Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas a growing number of non-Russian nationals, particularly African men from regions suffering severe unemployment and social instability, are being deceived into participating in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine through recruitment campaigns conducted primarily via social media platforms, under false pretences of employment, educational or financial opportunities, in practices likely to constitute human trafficking;

whereas according to a February report by investigative group INPACT, more than 1,400 African nationals have reportedly served in the Russian army between January 2023 and September 2025, with more than 300 killed; whereas in a February report, Kenya's National Intelligence Service confirmed over 1,000 nationals were duped into fighting for Russia in Ukraine, with a recruitment company director formally charged with human trafficking;

whereas since 2022, hundreds of African women have reportedly been targeted by online campaigns and tricked into working in drone-assembling factories in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, under highly dangerous conditions;

whereas Russian embassy officials have been accused of colluding with recruitment networks by facilitating tourist visas for recruited individuals;

whereas in January 2026, Russia reportedly issued a “stop-list” for military recruiters, banning citizens of a number of countries from enlisting to fight in Ukraine;

Strongly condemns the deceptive recruitment of non-Russian nationals, trafficked and coerced to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine;

Urges all states concerned to combat illegal recruitment and human trafficking networks, to hold those conducting, facilitating or promoting recruitment accountable, and to prevent participation in Russia’s war against Ukraine, including by prohibiting nationals from taking part in foreign wars, and by proactively warning them of the dangers of recruitment schemes;

Calls on social media platforms to meet their human rights responsibilities and take all necessary measures to detect, remove and report content used for illegal military recruitment and human trafficking purposes; calls on states to hold platforms accountable;

Calls on all states to ratify or accede and implement the United Nations’ International Convention Against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries;

Underscores that the increasing use of deceptive recruitment tactics coincide with the spread of Russia’s influence in African states, including through private military companies and information manipulation campaigns;

Demands that the Russian Federation guarantee the safe return of those deceitfully recruited, and immediately and unconditionally terminate all military activities in the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine;

Calls on the EU and its Member States to seize all opportunities to communicate to states concerned the dangers associated with these recruitment practices, and to support their efforts to tackle recruitment networks and human trafficking, and their efforts for repatriation and protection upon return;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Member States, the African Union, the UN, and the authorities of Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia and South Africa.