Man arrested in Lima for recruiting Peruvians to fight in Ukraine; one victim died in combat
A 54-year-old man was arrested in Lima on suspicion of human trafficking for allegedly recruiting Peruvian citizens to fight for Russia in Ukraine with false promises of employment. One of the victims died in combat.
Man arrested in Lima for allegedly recruiting Peruvians for war in Ukraine
A 54-year-old man was detained on Thursday in Lima on suspicion of human trafficking after allegedly recruiting Peruvian citizens to fight for Russia in the war against Ukraine, the Public Ministry reported. Julio Salazar, one of four identified victims, died in April during the armed conflict.
According to El Deber, prosecutor Luisa Quispe is investigating the accused for allegedly recruiting and facilitating the transfer of Salazar and three other people in March 2026 through deceptions about alleged employment opportunities in Russia. The victims were promised positions as security personnel at a military base, without being informed that they would be sent to a combat zone.
The detainee allegedly offered monthly salaries of approximately 2,300 dollars, a bonus of 20,000 dollars upon completion of a year of service, and the possibility of obtaining Russian nationality. Moreover, he allegedly explicitly assured them that they would not be deployed to the front lines of combat.
The Public Ministry obtained a seven-day preliminary detention order against the suspect. The operation included the search and inspection of two properties in the Lima district of Comas, as well as the seizure of mobile phones, USB devices, a firearm, credit cards and cash in soles and dollars. The operation involved specialised assistant prosecutors, the National Police of Peru's Directorate Against Human Trafficking and Illegal Migrant Smuggling, and the NGO Aerial Recovery.
This case is the second of its kind recorded in Lima in recent weeks. On 14 September, another man was arrested for recruiting Peruvians through deception to serve in the Russian army and was sent to preventive detention for 14 months.
Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged in August that at least 459 Peruvians have been recruited by Russia, apparently through deception, to be sent to the war front. The Foreign Ministry reported that at least eleven have died after travelling to Russia, 114 are missing, and three are being held as prisoners by Ukraine.
Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espá summoned Russian ambassador in Lima Alekséi Ushakov to convey "the concern" of President Keiko Fujimori and request "all necessary information regarding the location and situation of Peruvians who are in Russia".
Source: El Deber