Syrian Mercenaries in Ukraine

As Russia’s war in Ukraine drags on, new patterns of foreign recruitment have emerged from Syria. This report profiles three key intermediaries involved in recruiting Syrian men—often civilians and unfit for combat—for deployment to Ukraine. Based on interviews with recruits, open-source research, and field investigation, it documents recruitment methods, financial exploitation, and the broader role of intermediaries in Russia’s global efforts to source fighters. It also assesses the future of Syrian recruitment following the fall of the Assad regime.