Central Asian migrants in Russia forced to join Ukraine war

The prisoners reportedly find themselves in a difficult situation. Many do not wish to fight, but the harsh conditions in the colonies leave them with limited options. Jovid noted that some inmates would rather take their own lives than renounce their citizenship and sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense. He stated that foreign prisoners are being forced to give up their Tajik or Uzbek citizenship and acquire Russian citizenship in exchange for signing military contracts.

“If you don’t sign, you’ll be sent to solitary confinement. If you sign the citizenship renunciation papers, they’ll be sent to Tajikistan, and then you’ll be officially conscripted and sent to the front lines. Who knows? They might forge our signatures. Anything is possible here,” said Jovid.

A letter from a group of migrant prisoners in Jovid's colony, where approximately 400 Tajik and Uzbek nationals are being held, was sent to the media. The letter described inhumane treatment, including insults based on religious beliefs and calls by colony staff for other prisoners to beat the migrant inmates.

Recently, the prisoners were threatened with being sent to the war without regard for their citizenship. The letter claimed that this mistreatment might be part of a broader plan to push prisoners into volunteering for the war. Those who voluntarily agree to go are reportedly promised better treatment, while those who refuse face the prospect of being sent to the most dangerous front lines, where survival is unlikely.

Reports of migrant workers being sent to fight in Ukraine have been circulating since 2023. Russian law enforcement agencies have conducted regular raids on workplaces employing migrant laborers, issuing draft notices or taking them to military commissariats. Migrants without Russian citizenship are being offered fast-track naturalization if they sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense.