Bolivia claims 16 of its citizens have been recruited by Russian agents to fight in the war against Ukraine

Bolivia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that as many as 16 Bolivian men were lured by “job offers and money” to join the Russian army to fight in the war against Ukraine. The ministry said it has lodged an official complaint with the Russian embassy, pointing out Bolivia’s prohibition of military recruitment in its territory by foreign nations The Bolivian government has lodged a complaint with the Russian government over recruitment of Bolivian men to service in the Russian army. “The ministry became aware of these events from requests for assistance made by families of these young men who are currently in Russia and may be in combat in the Ukrainian war,” Vice Minister of Institutional Management Héctor Huanca told the newspaper El Deber. “These relatives are concerned for the welfare of their loved ones.” The vice minister said his ministry has “activated consular protection and assistance protocols through the Bolivian embassy in Moscow,” seeking to preserve the confidentiality of the men at the request of the relatives. Huanca said he believes the recruitment did not happen through Russian government institutions, but through independent agents working for the Russian military. “We do not know who these intermediaries are, but we know they offer money and military positions to those that they attempt to recruit,” he said. He added that the agents contact young men through social media and are also active in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.” Huanca said the Bolivians traveled voluntarily to Russia and are believed to have been sent to the war front in eastern Ukraine after undergoing military training. “As I understand it, the Russian military is recruiting men in a number of Latin American and Asian countries as a result the large number of casualties it has suffered in the fighting.” For now, the La Paz government is not aware of any Bolivians killed or injured in combat. “We are awaiting a response to our official note to the Russian embassy regarding the matter,” Huanca pointed said. Huanca insisted that “all commutations, actions and arrangements” with Moscow will be made through official channels and emphasized that Bolivia maintains a normal diplomatic relationship with the Russian Federation. The post Bolivia claims 16 of its citizens have been recruited by Russian agents to fight in the war against Ukraine appeared first on CuencaHighLife.