Russia is actively recruiting Uzbekistan citizens to fight in Ukraine

Uzbekistan leads in the number of citizens fighting on the Russian side in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian project “I want to live” has updated the lists of Central Asian residents who signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense and went to the front. By May 2026, activists were able to identify 12,919 people from Central Asia.

Uzbekistan has the largest number of verified citizens. The project collected personal data on 4,955 Uzbeks. Compared to April of this year, this figure has increased by more than 100 people. The situation for the other countries in the region is as follows: Tajikistan – 3,489; Kazakhstan – 2,420; Kyrgyzstan – 1,474; Turkmenistan – 581.

Mercenarism is prohibited in Uzbekistan and is strictly punishable by law.

Source: https://charter97.org/ru/news/2026/5/27/685640/