Families of Foreign Fighters in Russia's Army Are Increasingly Turning to Ukraine to Find Them, "I Want to Find" Data Shows

Relatives of foreign nationals lured into Russia's army are increasingly reaching out to Ukraine to find out what happened to them, according to figures published by "I Want to Find," a Ukrainian project that helps families search for Russian-army servicemen in Ukraine. The project said that as of the end of August 2026 it had received 1,019 requests about missing Kazakhstani citizens, the most of any country, followed by Uzbekistan with 736, Belarus with 627, Kyrgyzstan with 463, and Tajikistan with 290.

The project says that amid heavy losses, Russia's army is stepping up the recruitment of foreigners, who are lured into the country by deception and pushed to sign military contracts. It says such men are typically used as expendable assault troops - sent in as bait to expose Ukrainian firing positions or to clear a route for more "valuable" soldiers - and that when they are captured, Russia is in no hurry to take them back, leaving them in captivity for years. It also notes that Kazakhstan has already opened talks with Russia on bringing its citizens home from the combat zone, citing Zhanbolat Usenov, the official representative of Kazakhstan's foreign ministry in Russia.

Consistent With the Prisoner-of-War Data

The figures fit the picture from the other side of the front. We previously reported, drawing on "I Want to Live" data, that one in ten prisoners of war held by Ukraine are not Russian citizens, with foreign nationals from 55 countries now among them and Russia having shifted recruitment toward Central Asia, South America, and parts of Africa. Four of the five largest tallies in the new "I Want to Find" figures come from Central Asian states.

Looking for a Missing Relative

Families searching for a relative serving in Russia's army can submit a request through the "I Want to Find" project - find more details on how to act here.

Source: I Want to Find