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Rising Number of Turkmen Citizens Join Russian Army to Fight in Ukraine
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
At least 122 citizens of Turkmenistan were recruited by Russia to fight in the war against Ukraine during the first six months of 2025, the I Want to Live project reported on August 21.
As part of its ongoing series on foreign mercenaries serving in the Russian army, the initiative published lists of Turkmen citizens who signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Despite efforts by Turkmenistan’s authorities to counter Russian recruitment, Moscow continues to fill its assault units with foreign fighters. Although Turkmenistan has the lowest number of identified mercenaries among Central Asian countries, the pace of recruitment has been steadily rising since 2023.
According to the project, the main incentives remain money and the promise of Russian citizenship. However, most of those recruited never live to enjoy the so-called “privileges,” as they are sent to the frontlines and killed in so-called “meat assaults.” Foreign recruits from Asia are denied positions in rear units or headquarters and are instead used as expendable infantry.
According to the project. Ukraine has called on the governments of all countries whose citizens are being targeted by Russia, as well as the international community, to take action to stop this criminal practice.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine also urged foreigners to avoid joining the Russian occupying army at all costs, and in cases of forced deployment, to seek help through the I Want to Live project.
Earlier, it was reported that Russia is cutting recruitment bonuses in some regions while raising them in others, exposing deepening financial pressures and highlighting stark regional disparities in how the Kremlin measures the worth of its soldiers’ lives.
