Russian authorities claim to have captured thousands of migrants and sent them to Ukraine

Head of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, has claimed that the Russian authorities started to capture migrants who have recently obtained Russian citizenship and send them to the war of conquest in Ukraine. According to him, authorities have captured over 30,000 foreigners, with 10,000 sent to the combat zone.

Alexander Bastrikin

Russia service of Interfax and Meduza quote him saying that Russian authorities “are implementing the provisions of the Constitution and our laws under which the individuals who obtained Russian citizenship must be put on the military record and, if needed, participate in the special military operation [a Russian propaganda term for the genocidal war against Ukrainian People – ed.].”

“We get asked: ‘What are these individuals needed there for?’ – well, for digging trenches and building fortifications. Strong working hands are needed for this. Today, they are joining the ranks of our rear units,” Bastrikin said.

During his speech, he suggested changing Russia’s migration policy.

“I think the most important thing is to change the migration policy of Russia, to reason the necessity of this change, and possibly even to solve our political, economic, national and other problems with our domestic resources,” he claimed.

Reports indicate that Russian law enforcement regularly raids industrial facilities where labour migrants work. Officials hand them subpoenas or take them to military enlistment offices. Authorities promise migrants without Russian citizenship expedited Russian passports if they sign a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Earlier, news agency Bloomberg reported that Russians send young Africans to the front lines in Ukraine, explicitly threatening to deport them from the Russian Federation if they refuse.

Earlier, the BBC News told the stories about affected persons, including David Moothappan, 23, from the Indian village of Pozhiyoor in Kerala.

Earlier, Ghana and Sierra Leone called on Russia to stop the war in Ukraine as it harms African countries.