Ukraine Identifies 28,391 Foreign Nationals From 136 Countries Embedded Within Russia’s Armed Forces

Brigadier General Dmytro Usov reveals 28,391 foreigners from 136 countries identified in Russia's military. 5,000+ confirmed dead. Read the latest report.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 10:55 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Interfax-Ukraine

Kyiv Documents Massive Scale of International Recruitment

Brigadier General Dmytro Usov, Secretary of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, reported that Ukrainian intelligence has confirmed the specific identities of 28,391 foreign nationals currently serving in the Russian military. Speaking at a specialized briefing on Wednesday, Usov emphasized that these figures represent verified personal data, including full names, patronymics, and documented citizenship, rather than broad estimates. This tracking effort aims to expose the "Global Recruitment Scheme" used by the Kremlin to bolster its front-line strength without resorting to a full-scale domestic mobilization of its own population.

Global Footprint Spans Over One Hundred Nations

The reach of Russia’s recruitment apparatus is now confirmed to span 136 different countries, reflecting a truly globalized effort to find combat personnel. Ukrainian authorities noted that this extensive list includes individuals from a wide variety of geopolitical backgrounds, ranging from neighboring Central Asian states to nations across Africa and Southeast Asia. Crucially, Usov clarified that the 28,391 figure does not include the approximately 14,000 soldiers provided by the regular army of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. When accounting for those yet to be fully verified, officials believe the actual number of foreign fighters could be up to 30 percent higher.

Forced Service and Contract Extensions Without Consent

A troubling development highlighted by the Coordination Headquarters involves the retention of foreign personnel against their will. Records indicate that 3,080 foreign citizens who signed fixed-term contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense were not permitted to leave after their service period ended. These individuals have essentially been trapped in active duty, regardless of the original legal terms of their enlistment. This practice of mandatory contract extension, according to Usov, suggests a growing desperation within the Russian command to maintain manpower levels despite high attrition rates and the expiration of legal agreements.