Bolivia's attorney general has opened an investigation into the suspected trafficking of Bolivian nationals lured to Russia under false employment promises and allegedly pressed into service on the front lines of the Ukraine war. Attorney General Roger Mariaca said the specialized anti-trafficking unit will lead the probe, launched after relatives of two cousins, Iván Valdivia and José María Soleto Ayala, reported them missing following their departure for Russia on April 3.
The families say the men were promised civilian work contracts paying $16,000 but were instead enlisted into Russian armed forces. Relatives received only $3,000 before contact was lost, and later received photos and videos showing the men in Russian military uniforms. Soleto's wife has since said her husband was killed in action in Ukraine. Social media footage also showed the 29-year-old Soleto describing life on the battlefield.
Authorities in Peru and Colombia are conducting parallel investigations into similar cases. The Russian embassy in Lima acknowledged that some Peruvian citizens signed contracts to join Russian forces but maintained the enlistments were voluntary and lawful.