Six Panamanians killed in Russian conflict as recruitment continues

Three men were detained in Panama on Friday, September 25, for their role in recruiting Panamanians for the war between Russia and Ukraine. The news came on the same day that La Prensa announced that six Panamanians have died and another 70 are listed as active, meaning they are still linked to the conflict and in the combat zone.

The information appears in an official report dated September 15,  which records the situation of Panamanian citizens linked to the war.

There are 62 Panamanians currently active in Russia, and another eight in Ukraine. The report also lists eight missing persons in Russia and seven in Ukraine.

11 citizens have been repatriated from Russia and another seven from Ukraine.

In the case of Russia, the recruitment of Panamanians operates under a scheme using fictitious contracts and false job offers.

The war also opened a recruitment route from Panama. Three people have been arrested for their alleged involvement with networks that recruited Panamanians to send to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine , according to authorities.

The investigations point to possible human trafficking offenses. In one case, a man was arrested at Tocumen International Airport when, according to the investigation, he was involved in transporting two Panamanians who were preparing to travel under the promise of a job offer.

Another of those investigated was accused of contacting young people through social networks and offering them payments that could reach $5,000. .

The police reported that three people had now been apprehended in connection with the investigation. Two remained in pretrial detention.