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

B100167/2026

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 Ukraine and Russia,

having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas, four years on, Russia continues to wage a brutal, unprovoked, unjustified illegal war of aggression against Ukraine;

whereas Russia is sustaining its war efforts through coercion and the forced recruitment of foreign nationals, as reported by the Ukrainian authorities, including at least 1,700 identified civilians from 36 African countries; whereas the case of Francis Ndung’u Ndarua, a 35-year old Kenyan national who was deceivingly recruited and sent to the front, stands out as a particularly cruel example of Russia`s complete disregard for human life and dignity;

whereas, according to multiple sources, recruiters explicitly target individuals from low-income urban areas facing economic hardship; whereas these agents use high-profile individuals within the diaspora to create a false impression of legitimacy to extort the victims, promising high financial rewards, citizenship and civilian jobs;

Strongly condemns Russia`s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and its systemic and deliberate policy of human trafficking and grave human rights violations linked to the recruitment of non-Russian nationals;

Highlights that these actions are part of a pattern of externalizing the war effort through the forced recruitment of non-Russian nationals and an increasing reliance on foreign troops and military support from China, Iran, North Korea and Belarus; calls for the immediate and unconditional repatriation of all those non-Russian nationals recruited against their will;

Deplores the systematic recruitment of foreign civilians through deception and coercion; stresses that these acts contravene Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law, constituting flagrant violations of dignity, liberty, free movement and free choice of employment; denounces how these violations have been systematically directed at numerous ethnic groups and minorities;

Stresses that over 1,000 Kenyan citizens were recruited and while some remain on the front line, others are hospitalized, missing, or deceased;

Draws attention to the case of Francis Ndung’u Ndarua who, while promised civilian employment in Russia was forcibly sent to the front and subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment, including severe psychological and physical abuse; calls for his immediate and unconditional repatriation; urges the Russian authorities to provide his relatives with his whereabouts and information about his health;

Calls on the governments of the countries of origin of the recruits to take all necessary steps to facilitate the immediate repatriation of all those who have been coerced to travel to Russia; calls for swiftly investigating these severe cases of human trafficking and tracking down all those involved in the recruitment of these individuals;

Calls on the EU Member States to raise these cases and use the tools at their disposal to facilitate the swift release and repatriation of these foreign nationals;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the President, Government and parliament of Ukraine.