Struggle for Russian citizenship: Exploring the reasons behind Uzbeks' battles
Uzbek Mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict: A Closer Look
An investigation by Eurasianet's content partner, Mediazona Central Asia, reveals that dozens of Uzbeks are fighting and dying for Russia in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Unlike North Korea, which openly sends its citizens as mercenaries, Uzbek authorities actively discourage their nationals from joining foreign armies, including the Russian military.
On October 14, the Uzbek Consulate in Kazan warned citizens against participating in military actions abroad, a move reportedly causing frustration among Russian officials eager to fill their army's ranks. Despite official discouragement, Uzbeks, along with citizens of other Central Asian countries, continue to fight on the Russian-Ukrainian front.
According to Casualties, a Ukrainian website, at least 20 Uzbek citizens fighting for Russia have been confirmed killed in action. The majority of these deaths were criminal convicts who joined private military companies such as Wagner Group in search of a better life. The BBC's Russian service reports the deaths of at least 34 Uzbeks in the war.
These figures, however, are estimates. No official statistics are available, and Uzbek authorities do not disclose data on the number of citizens killed or participating in hostilities in Ukraine. Local news reports of criminal prosecutions in Uzbekistan shed some light on the situation.
Over the past year, at least six Uzbek citizens have been convicted in Uzbekistan for participating or attempting to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war. Ages of the convicts range from 23 to 56, with the maximum penalty for mercenary activity being 10 years in prison. As of the latest information, none of this year's convicts has received a term of more than five years. All have fought for Russia.
One individual convicted of mercenary activity is a 48-year-old former Wagnerite from Tashkent, sentenced to four years of restricted freedom. Despite his active participation in fighting, he received a relatively lenient sentence due to mitigating factors such as his role as a breadwinner and his full admission of guilt. He enlisted out of a desire to improve his living conditions, having to sleep in the kitchen due to overcrowding in his two-room apartment.
Another individual, 34-year-old Golib Aliyev, was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison after returning to Uzbekistan. He had initially agreed to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, lured by promises of higher wages and a possible Russian passport. Aliyev was wounded in Ukraine and received a medal for courage under fire. He was also granted Russian citizenship upon his recovery.
Since the terrorist attack at Moscow's CrocusCity Hall music venue, Russia has adopted a dual approach towards Central Asian citizens—tightening rules for labor migrants while actively recruiting them for the war effort. Reports suggest that Russian authorities are using increasingly sophisticated methods to recruit migrants, including psychological pressure.
The exact number of Uzbek citizens convicted for fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war is currently unknown. However, it is clear that the conflict has impacts beyond its immediate borders, with various countries, including those in Central Asia, involved in different ways. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the involvement of Uzbek citizens or their legal outcomes, it would be necessary to consult official legal records or reports specifically focused on Uzbekistan's involvement in the conflict.
- In light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, music may take a backseat for some Uzbek citizens as they find themselves recruited for the war effort, as Russian authorities have reportedly been using increasingly complex methods to entice labor migrants to join their military ranks.
- As the Russia-Ukraine war unfolds, food scarcity could potentially arise for families of Uzbek citizens participating in the conflict, as several Uzbek convicts, including a 48-year-old former Wagnerite from Tashkent, enlisted with hopes of improving their living conditions, only to find themselves sentenced to prison terms due to mercenary activities.
- Beyond the realm of war-and-conflicts, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has also generated a significant amount of general-news coverage, including reports on the criminal convictions of Uzbek citizens involved in the conflict, such as the case of 34-year-old Golib Aliyev, who was sentenced to five years in prison after his return to Uzbekistan, following his participation and subsequent injuries received in the war.
