The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru announced that 11 Peruvian citizens died in Ukrainian territory after being forcibly recruited by Russia to serve in its military. Foreign Ministry officials reported that 114 other Peruvians are missing and three have been captured by the Ukrainian army.
The ministry confirmed that it is coordinating the repatriation of four young Peruvians from Russia. These four join two other citizens who received assistance at the end of July from the consular section of the Peruvian Embassy in the Russian Federation.
Official records from the ministry list 459 Peruvians currently in Russia. Authorities have evacuated 31 Peruvians in total, with 28 choosing to return to Peru and three deciding to remain in Europe by personal decision. Foreign Minister Carlos Espá has not yet commented on rescue efforts for Peruvians forced into military duties under false job offers. The ministry urged citizens to report recruiters to the Public Prosecutor's Office and the National Police of Peru.
Demands from affected families
Relatives of affected Peruvians have held protests outside the Torre Tagle building to demand meetings with Foreign Ministry representatives. Norma Paredes, spokesperson for the Collective of Peruvian Relatives in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict and mother of a Peruvian currently in Russia, told La República that reporting numbers is not enough. She stated that official procedures must be completed to prove the status of loved ones to their families.
Paredes said families are desperate and lack financial resources to travel to request necessary procedures. She stated that authorities must repatriate bodies and conduct DNA tests, noting that in some cases no body remains following explosions. She added that dialogue between Peru and Russia has failed to speed up demands, even as a change of government occurred during the process. She noted that Russia moves at a turtle's pace.
Paredes said relatives submitted documents and expect to meet with Russian diplomatic representatives on Monday. She explained that during an initial meeting, Foreign Ministry officials told families to wait for Russia to make contact to start protocols and testing. She added that relatives have been protesting in the streets for four months to demand support with DNA testing, repatriation, and the return of ashes.
Requests for economic and psychological support
Paredes called for support programs for Peruvians returning with severe physical and psychological injuries. She stated that many deaths have left widows and orphans in Peru who require financial assistance. She added that Peruvians who escaped the army arrived without receiving proper support, lacking medical insurance upon arrival so they were not treated.
Paredes requested psychological and psychiatric treatment for survivors who witnessed deaths, faced near-death situations, or suffered amputations that leave them unable to work. Meanwhile, legal representative Percy Salinas estimated that around 1,200 Peruvians have been taken to Russia since 2024. He said victims were recruited through false job offers for construction, labor, or security positions promising high salaries.
Emergency consular contacts
The Foreign Ministry published emergency contact details for affected citizens and families seeking assistance.
- Consular Section in Moscow (Russian Federation): Cellphone or WhatsApp +7 985 389 06 60, Landline 8 985 389 06 60.
- Consular Section in Warsaw (Ukraine): Emergency cellphone +48 601 083 987.
