Is Russia recruiting Iraqis to fight its Ukraine war?

Russia's ambassador in Baghdad, Elbrus Kutrashev, is under increased scrutiny over allegations that he has promoted the idea of Iraqi nationals joining Russian ranks. Iraqi lawmakers and civil society groups have called for an official inquiry into whether recruitment networks or local intermediaries are operating inside Iraq.

The situation first emerged in early September when activists shared clips said to allegedly show Iraqis participating in military training in Russia or present on the battlefield. In response, Iraq's embassy in Moscow advised citizens to be cautious regarding promises of work or money. Subsequently, a Baghdad court sentenced a man to life imprisonment for recruiting Iraqis to participate in Russia's war—reflecting the government's concern over recruitment networks.

The controversy grew after Russian Ambassador Elbrus Kutrashev, in an interview published by Shafaq News on 17 October, said that "thousands of Iraqis are ready to join the Russian army if allowed."

The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights (IOHR), a local watchdog, called his remarks concerning.

In a statement issued Monday, the IOHR said the ambassador's remarks should not be viewed solely as a personal opinion, arguing that they indicate "an organised attempt to influence poverty and joblessness among Iraq's youth to involve them in a foreign war." The organisation stated that presenting armed conflict as employment "could constitute human trafficking" and would be inconsistent with Iraq’s commitments under international law.

The New Arab contacted the Russian embassy in Iraq for comment, but had not received a response at the time of publication.

IOHR director Mustafa Saadoun stated that using economic hardship as a factor in encouraging Iraqis to participate in conflict represents a questionable form of influence. He said offering war as a means of making a living "could be considered a crime within the context of armed conflict."

The watchdog, identified as the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights, stated that Kutrashev's remarks could be seen as inconsistent with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), which requires diplomats to respect the sovereignty of their host state and refrain from interfering in its domestic affairs. The Commission therefore suggested that Baghdad consider lodging an official protest, noting that continued inaction could be interpreted as implicit consent and might affect Iraq’s diplomatic credibility.

The IOHR additionally called for a parliamentary and diplomatic investigation into whether any specific Iraqi individuals or groups—such as employment agencies, private security firms, or associated organisations—are acting as recruiters or intermediaries under the pretext of employment or military training contracts. If confirmed, it said, these activities may be classified as human trafficking and warrant legal action.

Meanwhile, social media platforms have shared footage of Kamal Nabil Khalaf, a 26-year-old Iraqi citizen from Kirkuk, who said he was captured by Ukrainian forces while serving with Russian troops. In a video published by Ukrainian channels, Khalaf claimed he had travelled to Russia on a tourist visa and was later coerced into joining the conflict after working in a restaurant. TNA could not verify the authenticity of this video. 

Commenting on the issue, Amir al-Fayez, of Iraq's parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, told local Iraqi media some Iraqis joined the war voluntarily for money, without government coercion. He added that those wishing to return home could seek help from the Iraqi embassy in Moscow.

Activists have noted that recruitment operations by organised groups are ongoing in various regions of Iraq, particularly in the southern provinces. Human rights advocate Mazin al-Miyali told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab's Arabic-language sister outlet, that "organised groups are offering money and false promises of work to persuade young Iraqis to join the fighting."

Al-Miyali said the government's response to date has not sufficiently addressed the actions of these groups and recommended stronger legal measures against the recruiters, as well as coordinated efforts to assist Iraqis recruited into the conflict to return.