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Four Dominican nationals who claim to have fled Russian military recruiters are currently under the protection of the Dominican Embassy in Russia. They report that they have been threatened with death, monitored, and pressured to join the Russian armed forces, and that they have not signed any contracts to serve in the war against Ukraine. According to a report by Ndigital, the four men—who have been housed and fed by the embassy—continue to receive intimidating messages from the alleged recruiters. In one WhatsApp exchange the men say, “Yo te tengo ubicado, aunque tú piensas que la embajada te está dando protección, eso no es así.” Another message reads, “A ti te atrapo yo por encima del embajador, por el ministro de tu país o de quien sea.” The men also claim that the recruiters demand US$10,000 per person and threaten that they can locate them regardless of diplomatic protection. One of the men stated, “El dominicano que intenta o se niega a firmar el contrato aquí en Rusia, lo desaparecen. Te dicen: ‘Yo te voy a mandar para tu casa’, y en el camino te matan.” The four men say they escaped when they were about to be transferred to a Russian military base and sought refuge at the Dominican diplomatic compound. “Nos salvamos porque nos tiramos a la embajada de emergencia,” they told the reporters. While they appreciate the embassy’s assistance, they say they do not feel safe in Russia and wish to return to the Dominican Republic as soon as possible. “La embajada dominicana nos ha brindado el apoyo de alojamiento, comida constantemente. De eso no nos podemos quejar, literalmente, pero queremos salir del país porque los rusos se mantienen mandándonos mensajes constantemente,” one of them added. Diplomatic sources indicated that the embassy is considering transferring the four men back to the Dominican Republic, although no date has been set. The whereabouts of a fifth Dominican who was reportedly involved in the same situation remain unknown, raising concerns among the four about his possible disappearance. The Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs has engaged legal counsel in Russia to review the military contracts signed by Dominican citizens and to explore legal options for their return. The case highlights the broader issue of foreign nationals being recruited by Russian forces amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Article source: El Nuevo Diario | Image credit: El Nuevo Diario
Four Dominican nationals who claim to have fled Russian military recruiters are currently under the protection of the Dominican Embassy in Russia. They report that they have been threatened with death, monitored, and pressured to join the Russian armed forces, and that they have not signed any contracts to serve in the war against Ukraine. According to a report by Ndigital, the four men—who have been housed and fed by the embassy—continue to receive intimidating messages from the alleged recruiters. In one WhatsApp exchange the men say, “Yo te tengo ubicado, aunque tú piensas que la embajada te está dando protección, eso no es así.” Another message reads, “A ti te atrapo yo por encima del embajador, por el ministro de tu país o de quien sea.” The men also claim that the recruiters demand US$10,000 per person and threaten that they can locate them regardless of diplomatic protection. One of the men stated, “El dominicano que intenta o se niega a firmar el contrato aquí en Rusia, lo desaparecen. Te dicen: ‘Yo te voy a mandar para tu casa’, y en el camino te matan.” The four men say they escaped when they were about to be transferred to a Russian military base and sought refuge at the Dominican diplomatic compound. “Nos salvamos porque nos tiramos a la embajada de emergencia,” they told the reporters. While they appreciate the embassy’s assistance, they say they do not feel safe in Russia and wish to return to the Dominican Republic as soon as possible. “La embajada dominicana nos ha brindado el apoyo de alojamiento, comida constantemente. De eso no nos podemos quejar, literalmente, pero queremos salir del país porque los rusos se mantienen mandándonos mensajes constantemente,” one of them added. Diplomatic sources indicated that the embassy is considering transferring the four men back to the Dominican Republic, although no date has been set. The whereabouts of a fifth Dominican who was reportedly involved in the same situation remain unknown, raising concerns among the four about his possible disappearance. The Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs has engaged legal counsel in Russia to review the military contracts signed by Dominican citizens and to explore legal options for their return. The case highlights the broader issue of foreign nationals being recruited by Russian forces amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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