Bolivian authorities confirmed the recruitment of the country's citizens to take part in the war against ...

Bolivian authorities have confirmed the recruitment of the country's citizens to take part in the war against Ukraine.

Bolivia's Attorney General's Office has launched an investigation into human trafficking after a series of reports about men who disappeared after traveling to Russia in search of work.

According to Attorney General Roger Mariaca, the case is being handled by the prosecutor's specialized anti-human-trafficking unit.

Law enforcement is determining who recruited the Bolivians, how their trips abroad were financed, what contracts they signed, and whether a recruitment network is operating in Bolivia. The country's Foreign Ministry said it has unofficial information about 16 citizens who may be in the combat zone in Ukraine.

Local media tell the story of two Bolivians recruited by Russians, Ivan Valdivia and Jose Maria Soleto Ayala. Both went to Russia to work as construction workers, but ended up at the front as part of the Russian army and have been out of contact for more than two months. The men's relatives have already held a symbolic farewell for them and are waiting for the authorities to officially confirm their deaths. Bolivia's embassy in Moscow has already contacted the Russian side with a request for information about their fate and has established contact with other citizens of the country who are in Russia. According to diplomats, one of the Bolivians who refused to take part in the war against Ukraine was even returned to his homeland.

The scheme used by Russians to recruit Bolivian citizens is always the same: men are offered high-paying “civilian” work in Russia. Upon arrival they are made to sign documents in Russian, which turn out to be a standard contract with the Russian Armed Forces, and it all ends with deployment to the war. Usually, they never receive the money, or they are paid only a small part of what was promised.

☝️ We remind citizens of foreign countries: a job offer in Russia is practically guaranteed to be recruitment for participation in combat operations. Your trip to the Russian Federation will most likely lead to your death or serious injury. If someone is trying to recruit you to take part in combat operations against Ukraine, or if you have already ended up in the ranks of Russian troops, contact the “I Want to Live” project. We will help you save your life and surrender safely.

➡️ Save your life and surrender: t.me/kak\sdatsya\bot

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