Ukraine Project Identifies 1,110 Uzbeks Fighting for Russia

The Ukrainian state project “I Want to Live" has published a list of 1,110 Uzbek citizens who signed contracts with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and participated in combat operations against Ukraine, Orda.kz reports, citing Gazeta.uz.

The project was created to encourage Russian soldiers to surrender voluntarily.

Reportedly, this is an incomplete list. Taking into account Uzbek nationals who hold Russian citizenship, the total number involved in the war may reach several thousand.

The published list includes at least 109 individuals reported killed. The youngest was not yet 21 years old, and the oldest was 62. One was killed on the eighth day after signing the contract.

To clarify — this is not a list of prisoners of war. This is a list of Uzbek citizens who are or were fighting against Ukraine on the side of the Russian Federation,
 the project’s statement says.

It is noted that Uzbeks often sign contracts with the Russian army under pressure — “through raids and threats of deportation.”

The project has urged the authorities of Uzbekistan to take note of the recruitment of the country’s citizens into the Russian army and expressed hope for assistance in stopping this practice.

Notably, Uzbekistan's legislation bans "mercenarism."