Norma, a Peruvian mother, last saw her son in late January when he left for Russia, promised a job as a cook for the Russian army. However, he soon found himself fighting on the front lines in Ukraine. Many other Peruvian men have fallen victim to similar recruitment tactics, lured by promises of high salaries and bonuses.

Deceptive Recruitment

These men, often from impoverished backgrounds, are deceived by local recruiters and social media ads. They are given minimal training and sent into combat, with some even being punished for not understanding Russian commands. The Peruvian government has made requests to Moscow for information on its citizens in the Russian military, demanding their safe return.

Rosa, another Peruvian mother, shared messages from her husband, who was recruited with promises of a security job in Russia. However, he soon found himself in the midst of the war in Ukraine, describing starvation, brutal drills, and constant drone attacks. His messages eventually stopped, and Rosa was told by fellow troops that he had died in a drone strike.

Government Response

The Peruvian government has launched an investigation into the recruitment of its citizens, describing it as human trafficking. The public prosecutor’s office has received 36 complaints from families of the recruits, who claim their relatives were deceived by false job offers abroad.

Pedro Bravo, director of Peruvian Communities Abroad, stated that many recruits have limited resources and are in dire need of funds, making them vulnerable to deception. The Russian Embassy in Lima has said it respects the decision of foreign citizens to participate in the defense of Russian sovereignty and security.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.