Russia pressures migrants into military service, Ukrainian intelligence warns
Ukrainian intelligence says Moscow is creating conditions that leave migrants no choice but to sign army contracts and seek citizenship.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia has introduced a mechanism for forcing foreigners into military service, bypassing direct recruitment. Such actions are seen as a way to replenish the army in light of heavy losses on the front.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine released the relevant information on Telegram, explaining the context and potential consequences of this approach.
“Against the backdrop of significant losses in Ukraine, the Kremlin has turned to a new reserve: migrants who are in Russia without citizenship. Since most countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America officially oppose drafting their citizens into the Russian army, Moscow has chosen an evasion route – artificially creating conditions where staying in the country without a Russian passport becomes practically impossible.”
– The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine
The only proposed path is a contract with the Russian Armed Forces, which automatically opens the path to citizenship.
According to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, in 2024 more than 157 thousand foreign violators of migration law were forcibly kept in the territory of the Russian Federation – 45% more than in the previous year.
“In 2025 the figure fell to 72 thousand people. Interior Minister Kolokoltsev explained the gap simply: ‘They could have sent ten times more, but there is not enough funding’.”
– Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation
Those who were not expelled may soon face an alternative – the front line, according to intelligence based on data from Russian security forces.
According to intelligence, this agency drafted amendments to the RF Administrative Offenses Code that significantly broaden the grounds for pressuring foreigners.
“Among them are liability for extremism, threats to public and information security, violations of religious legislation, coercion to strike, abuse of freedom of speech, and the dissemination of extremist content through audiovisual services”
– The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine
The intelligence service stated that for violation of Article 20.29 of the RF Administrative Offenses Code (“Distribution of extremist materials”) expulsion is proposed to be the primary punishment.
There are also plans for a substantial increase in fines for violations of the residency regulations.
“An increase in fines in Russia is traditionally accompanied by an increase in bribes – and the Kremlin understands this. The real aim of the mechanism is different: to compel migrants who seek to stabilize the situation of their families and avoid persecution to sign a contract of their own accord. Formally – no coercion, no recruitment. A person simply ‘chooses’ citizenship by serving in the aggressor’s army.”
– The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine
According to intelligence, Russia has changed its approach to recruiting citizens of African countries to participate in the war in Ukraine.
In conclusion, the intelligence emphasizes migration pressure as a mobilization tool and urges monitoring of the developments at the international level and by human rights organizations.
Analysts note that the use of migration pressure can have various consequences for international security and human rights, particularly for the citizens of countries subjected to such policy, and for regional stability as a whole. Monitoring the situation and the international community’s response remain critically important in the coming months.
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