Dominican Republic Warns Citizens About Job Offers in Russia

The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) issued a formal alert on September 25, 2026, warning citizens about job offers to travel to Russia that can lead to involvement in the war against Ukraine. MIREX said it was responding to "reports and information received" about such offers, and urged citizens to "exercise caution regarding these types of proposals." The ministry recommended verifying the origin of any offer, the employer's identity, and the terms of employment beforehand, "especially when the process is carried out exclusively through digital means or through intermediaries whose identity or accreditation cannot be verified." It reminded citizens that any involvement in armed-conflict activities "can pose serious risks to the life, integrity, and security" of Dominican nationals, and pledged consular assistance and help arranging a safe return for anyone who has already accepted such an offer and ends up in a vulnerable or dangerous situation.

The Case Behind the Timing

MIREX's alert came days after the case of Juan Carlos Ávila Espaillat surfaced publicly. The 28-year-old from Higüey signed a contract with Russia's armed forces on August 16, 2026, after posting videos from Russia documenting his decision to fight, which went viral on Dominican social media. Roughly five weeks later, on September 22, his unit was hit by a Ukrainian kamikaze drone; fleeing the strike, Ávila stepped on a landmine and was wounded in one leg, while a Colombian member of his unit, Camilo Vargas, was killed. MIREX's warning followed within days of that story spreading, though the ministry's statement does not name him directly.

Raised at the UN, Too

The public warning ran alongside a diplomatic one. Foreign Minister Víctor "Ito" Bisonó raised the issue directly with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov at the UN General Assembly in New York, telling him of the Dominican government's concern over the recruitment offers. Lavrov reportedly told his ministry's Latin America division to take the matter up with "competent authorities" - a diplomatic track running parallel to MIREX's public advisory to citizens.

Get Out Safely

Dominicans and other foreign nationals who have already been recruited into Russia's armed forces under offers like the ones MIREX is now warning about have a safe option to leave through Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project. See our FAQ on how to safely surrender to Ukrainian forces.