Peruvians say they were promised jobs in Russia, but landed on the front lines in Ukraine

Peruvians say they were promised jobs in Russia, now fighting in Ukraine

Parents' Fears in Lima

Peruvians say they were promised jobs in Russia, but many have ended up on the front lines in Ukraine. Norma’s final meeting with her son took place in late January at Lima’s airport, where he assured her that he would serve as a cook for the Russian military and avoid the chaos of war. He claimed the position would pay well and even provide a route to Russian citizenship. However, Norma noticed something was off. Her 31-year-old son had never left Peru and had no military training, yet he was now packing for a mission that promised stability, not survival.

“I wanted to lock him in the house, but he’d already made up his mind,” Norma told CNN. “He said, ‘Mom, I’m just going as a cook.’ But a mother’s instinct tells her—if not I wouldn’t have felt so anxious.”

At the airport, Norma saw others who had also signed up for the Russian mission. They remained quiet as they boarded flights, their excitement masked by uncertainty. “My son asked me not to embarrass him,” she recalled. “He said I had to believe in him, that he was just going to work.” Despite his reassurances, Norma felt a growing dread, unaware that the promise of a civilian job would soon be shattered.

Russian Recruitment Strategies

As the war in Ukraine continues, Russia has expanded its recruitment efforts to include foreign fighters from nations like Peru. Social media campaigns highlight opportunities for lucrative employment in Russia, offering jobs that promise security and financial gain. These ads often depict a life of ease, enticing individuals with the idea of a stable income and citizenship benefits. Yet, once they arrive, many find themselves thrust into combat without warning.

Norma’s son was among those lured by such promises. Shortly after joining, he began sending videos of himself in battle gear, constructing shelters in a Ukrainian forest. “I could hear drones exploding in the background,” she said, though he claimed they were far from the fighting. The videos stopped in early April when he reported being punished by a commander for a mistake—until then, he had kept up the facade of a civilian role.

“I told him, ‘That’s a lie, you’re going to fight on the front lines,’” Norma remembered. “He asked me to calm down. And since that day, I haven’t heard from him again.”

International Fallout

Peruvian families are not the only ones grappling with the consequences of Russia’s recruitment tactics. In February, CNN exposed how Russian ads had drawn men from African nations into service under the guise of civilian jobs. These recruits, often given minimal training, were forced into combat situations they had not anticipated. The trend has since spread, with countries like Colombia and Nepal taking action to protect their citizens.

Kenya’s foreign minister recently raised concerns about the recruitment of its youth, describing the process as a form of human trafficking. The minister criticized Russia for deceiving citizens with false promises of employment. The Russian embassy in Nairobi responded by calling the accusations “dangerous and misleading,” though the evidence of deception grows stronger with each new story.

Nepal followed up by banning travel to Russia and Ukraine for work after thousands of its citizens volunteered. This move underscores the global worry that countries are being exploited for their labor forces, with some recruits waking up to find themselves in the middle of a war they didn’t choose.

Voices of the Disillusioned

Norma’s son was just one of many Peruvians caught in this web of promises. CNN has spoken to over a dozen families who have gathered outside the Russian embassy in Lima, demanding answers. These men, often from modest backgrounds, were enticed by the idea of a better life abroad. Pedro Bravo, a representative at the Foreign Ministry, noted that many recruits lack awareness of the war’s realities. “They are easy to mislead,” he said, emphasizing the need for clearer information.

“Many have limited resources and are desperate for opportunities,” Bravo explained. “They don’t fully understand the international situation. It’s much easier to deceive them.”

Rosa, a mother of three, shared a similar tale. Her husband, a former prison guard, had been promised a security role in Russia. He had no military experience, yet he signed up through a local recruiter. “He was hoping for a stable job,” Rosa said, “but now he’s in the middle of a war.” The stories of Norma and Rosa highlight a shared struggle: families entrust their sons to foreign powers, only to face the brutal realities of conflict.