Russia accused of deceiving foreign nationals into military service

Reports indicate that foreign nationals are being deceived into fighting for the Russian military. According to Amnesty International, citizens from countries including Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Somalia, and South Africa have been held in Ukrainian prisoner-of-war camps. Some individuals, such as an IT specialist from Brazil and a South African man seeking driving work in Poland, reported being lured to Russia with promises of employment, only to be forced into military service under threat of imprisonment or death.

In a separate development regarding the conflict, Ukrainian military intelligence reports that Russia has concentrated approximately 150,000 soldiers in 120 tactical units near Orikhiv in the Zaporizhzhia region for a potential offensive. While military expert Johan Huovinen expressed skepticism regarding the exact number, noting that such a large force would likely be visible via satellite, he confirmed that Russia intends to attempt an advance. Ukrainian officials stated that while the situation is difficult and affects logistical planning, the front remains under control, noting that the Russian forces involved include elite units such as the 58th Army and 98th Airborne Forces.