Paraguayan Ex-Soldier Maximino Cabrera Reported Dead in Russia's Army Within Five Weeks of Leaving Home

Maximino Cabrera, a 38-year-old former Paraguayan soldier from the city of J. Augusto Saldívar, has been reported killed fighting for Russia, but his family says it has received no official confirmation, the Paraguayan newspaper Última Hora reported on October 15, 2026. His brother, Miguel Cabrera, spoke about the case to the Paraguayan outlet NPY.

News From a Comrade, Not From Any Authority

The family learned of the death only through a comrade of Maximino's in Russia, who Miguel said is also Paraguayan. "We still have not received official information," Miguel told NPY. Asked whether the family had reached any authority in Paraguay who could tell them more, he answered that so far there was nothing. They are appealing to Paraguayan and foreign authorities to confirm the death and start repatriating his remains. "We want to repatriate the body and we want to know for sure whether it is him," Miguel said, adding that the family is waiting for someone to contact them so they can begin the paperwork.

He Went After Other Paraguayans

According to Miguel, his brother went to Russia on September 10, about a month before the interview, because he was in contact with other Paraguayans already there. Miguel said "quite a few" Paraguayans are in Russia and that Maximino was in touch with them. He told NPY that his brother served in the infantry in Paraguay but did not know his rank. Última Hora calls Maximino a former soldier, while in the NPY interview Miguel agreed with the host that he was "active"; the interview does not say whether he had left the service before going to Russia.

A One-Year Contract Worth $500,000, and No Money Sent

Miguel said his brother accepted the offer by Russia's recruiters because of a large financial deal: a one-year contract for 500,000 dollars. The money never arrived. "He signed a one-year contract for USD 500,000, but he had not sent any money yet," he said, adding that Maximino went to fight. Neither outlet says who offered the contract, and the 500,000-dollar figure comes from the family alone.

The Only Line to Russia Has Gone Quiet

Miguel said he himself has no contact with anyone in Russia. Only Maximino's wife had been in touch with one of his comrades, and that comrade's number no longer connects, so the family can no longer reach him. They also have no contact with the families of other Paraguayans who went.

A Safe Way Out

Paraguayans and other foreign nationals lured into Russia's armed forces have an option to safely escape the battlefield with Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project. See our FAQ for recommendations to the victims of Russian recruiters.