How many Peruvians have died fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Peru’s Foreign Ministry has announced that 11 Peruvian citizens have been killed and 114 remain missing after taking part in the Russia-Ukraine war.
In a statement, the ministry said 31 Peruvians had been evacuated from Russia, while 459 had been officially identified as having joined the war, Anadolu Agency reported.
“According to official data, it has been determined that 459 Peruvian citizens participated in the war; unfortunately, 11 of them lost their lives, 114 are missing and three were captured by the Ukrainian army,” the ministry said.
The ministry also said the consular section of Peru’s Embassy in Russia was working to repatriate two young Peruvians who were in distress. It added that two other Peruvian citizens returned to the country at the end of July after completing their consular procedures.
The Foreign Ministry warned Peruvians against responding to fake job offers connected to the Russia-Ukraine war, saying they could be at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking networks.
It also reminded citizens that serving in the armed forces of a foreign country requires official authorization from the government.
The ministry urged people to report human traffickers involved in such operations to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the National Police.
Victims and their relatives can also contact Peru’s consulates in Moscow and Warsaw, which are responsible for handling consular matters related to the Ukraine region, the ministry said.
According to reports in Peruvian national media, families of Peruvians who joined the Russian army gathered outside the Russian Embassy in Lima to demand that their relatives, particularly those who had been wounded, be returned to Peru and that authorities provide information about their whereabouts.
A spokesperson representing the families said they had received information indicating that at least 150 Peruvians had been killed, but stressed that the figure had not yet been officially confirmed.
The Peruvian government has requested assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross to help locate citizens who remain missing.