Russia Takes Back a Foreign Recruit in an Exchange - a Dead Sri Lankan, "I Want to Live" Says

Russia has begun taking back foreign nationals recruited into its army, but so far only a dead one, according to Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project. During an exchange of the remains of Russian servicemen on October 22, 2026, Ukraine handed Russia the body of a Sri Lankan citizen, Rohan Kumara Sudi. "Of the living there is no talk yet," the project said.

Why His Body Went to Russia

The project says that under international humanitarian law, Rohan Kumara Sudi was a combatant of the Russian army, so his body was handed to Russia. It says this means Sri Lanka must now ask Russia to return it.

Russia Does Not Usually Send Foreigners Home

According to the project, Russian authorities cremate or bury foreigners in Russia and do not send their bodies home. 

See also: Peruvian widow says 150 Peruvian bodies are decomposing in a Rostov morgue

More Than 5,000 Dead Foreigners

As of early 2026, the project said, it knew the names of more than 5,000 dead foreigners who fought in the Russian army. It argues that Russia has a reason to keep quiet about them. In its view, admitting thousands of foreign dead would mean admitting that Russia cannot fight on its own, and would strain its relations with the countries that supply recruits. The project says Russia will sooner or later have to return the people it recruited, "alive and dead", and it calls on governments and the international community to press the Kremlin to do so. It has also identified 45,959 foreign nationals from 151 countries who signed contracts with the Russian army.

A Safe Way Out

Sri Lankans 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 for victims of Russian military recruitment and their families.