The Insider: Middle Eastern mercenaries recruited by Russia regret fighting in Ukraine

Most Middle Eastern men recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine later regret their decision — but returning home is nearly impossible, according to an investigation by the Latvian outlet The Insider. 

Russia has reportedly developed a targeted recruitment scheme that enlists men from Syria, Yemen, and Libya to fight against Ukraine. 

Recruits are promised fast-tracked citizenship and high pay. However, many are deceived — only upon arrival in Russia do they learn they will be sent to the front lines.

One such case is Wahid, a Syrian whose story The Insider shares. After arriving in Russia, he was informed he would be deployed to fight in the easternmost Luhansk region.

Although Wahid initially agreed to fight, within months he sent a voice message to his family in Syria describing the horrors of war and pleading for help to return home.

Authorities in Syria’s Suwayda province tried unsuccessfully to negotiate his return with the Russian embassy in Damascus. At least seven others from the area who fought alongside Wahid also wanted to return but were prevented.

Reports confirm that Wahid was killed in September 2024 during one of the so-called “meat grinder” assaults when waves of soldiers are deployed to assault positions without air or armored support.

His family received no compensation. 

Russia officially denies almost all involvement of foreign mercenaries in its war against Ukraine, even though this recruitment system is a part of its state policy.

Earlier, Russia had launched a large-scale recruitment program in Africa targeting young women to work in Tatarstan — specifically to assemble kamikaze drones used in the war against Ukraine.