Deceptive recruitment network that takes young Dominicans to Russia denounced
An alarming report has shaken public opinion this week. Congressman Carlos de Pérez has exposed an alleged recruitment scheme on social media, through which young Dominicans are recruited under false promises of employment in Russia, only to be subsequently integrated into the military ranks of the war conflict in Ukraine.
According to the legislator’s statements, citizens are lured with offers to perform common civilian jobs, such as welders, cooks, or mechanics. However, upon arriving in Russian territory, the situation changes drastically: their passports are confiscated and they are forced to begin a military training process.
Documented cases and call to the authorities
De Pérez claims to have concrete evidence regarding this modus operandi, citing specific cases of young people from La Romana, San Cristóbal, and Haina. The congressman maintains that, currently, at least ten Dominicans are under the control of Russian personnel, undergoing examinations and preparations prior to their transfer to the battlefront.
I have several documented cases of young people who have been contacted for ordinary jobs. They are already in Russia, they are in the hands of Russian personnel, they are being prepared and will be sent to the battlefront.
Carlos de Pérez, deputy.
Given the gravity of the events, the deputy has formally requested the intervention of the Dominican government to initiate the necessary diplomatic efforts. The objective is to locate those affected, verify their conditions, and secure the return of those who were victims of deception. Likewise, he proposed that the Ministry of Labor establish security protocols to validate job offers abroad, especially in countries immersed in armed conflicts.
A phenomenon under the microscope
The situation has gained greater relevance following reports from various human rights organizations, which suggest that hundreds of Dominicans may have traveled to Russia under similar premises. While some may have left under false pretenses, other cases, such as that of Juan Carlos Ávila Espaillat—who has shared images wearing a Russian military uniform—seem to correspond to recruitment with full knowledge of the situation.
De Pérez made a clear distinction regarding these scenarios, emphasizing that his complaint focuses exclusively on those young people who were recruited through false job offers, urging the authorities to dismantle this scheme before more Dominican families are affected.
