Russia is increasingly attracting foreign mercenaries from countries with a “difficult economic situation” to a full-scale war in Ukraine, Petro Yatsenko, spokesman for the Coordination Command for the Treatment of Prisoners of War in Ukraine, said, Kyiv Independent writes.

Russia has been recruiting foreigners from countries like Nepal, Somalia, India, Cuba and others to fight in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported in October 2023 that about 400 foreign mercenaries had arrived in occupied Crimea and were preparing to later join the Russian troops on the front lines.

Britain’s Ministry of Defense also said Russia tried to recruit foreigners and migrant workers to avoid announcing another mobilization campaign ahead of the March 15 presidential election.

“Russia’s mobilization resource has decreased. And we see that Russia has increased its efforts to send citizens from countries with a difficult economic situation to the front line,” Yatsenko said.

Foreign mercenaries are used by Russia as “cannon fodder” at the front, Yatsenko believes. Russia also refuses to train them for combat, the spokesman added.

At the press conference, Yatsenko was joined by several mercenaries from Nepal, Cuba, Somalia and Sierra Leone captured by Ukrainian troops.

According to the Geneva Conventions, mercenaries cannot be combatants or prisoners of war, and mercenaries must be considered a crime.

“Since the trials have not yet taken place, Ukraine will adhere to the rules of treatment of prisoners of war stipulated by the Geneva Conventions. They (foreign mercenaries) will receive three meals a day, treatment if necessary, and humane treatment,” Yatsenko said.

In early January, Nepal suspended the issuance of foreign work permits for its citizens to work in Russia until further notice after more Nepali mercenaries were killed fighting alongside the Russian army in Ukraine.

At least 10 Nepalis have been confirmed killed while serving in the Russian armed forces, and the Nepalese government estimates that around 200 have fought on Russia’s side since January.