(MOSCOW) – Russia is bringing in thousands of foreign workers to fill jobs once done by local citizens, as the country faces a growing labour shortage driven by its war on Ukraine and the departure of many working age men.
Long queues of job seekers from India, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Central Asian countries have formed outside key industrial sites across large Russian cities. Many are applying for roles at oil refineries and military related production centres where large gaps have opened.
Russia has lost a significant part of its adult male population to battlefield deaths and conscription since launching its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Analysts and independent researchers suggest the real toll could exceed the one per cent of adult males estimated by some Russian officials. At the same time, millions of people have left the country to avoid mobilisation.
The presence of foreign labour has fuelled public unease. Russian society has a long record of hostility towards immigrants, and many residents are questioning why outsiders are replacing local workers while Russians are still being sent to the front line.
Industry observers say foreign workers are often placed in risky roles at facilities where explosions and fires have been reported during the conflict, including from suspected drone strikes. Labour protection standards and wages in these sectors are also low.
Foreign recruits have been reported from countries where perceptions of Russia are still shaped by memories of the Soviet era. Many discover a harsh reality upon arrival, including poor working conditions and hostility from local communities.
The shortage has put pressure on the Russian budget as the Kremlin attempts to keep military recruitment going while reducing support payments in poorer regions. Moscow has avoided declaring a wider mobilisation as this could trigger another wave of departures from the country.
Ukraine’s government argues that Russia’s growing internal strains show that the war is damaging the country from within. Kyiv continues to resist pressure for territorial concessions, warning that rewarding aggression would encourage future attacks in Europe.
Support from European nations remains strong as questions grow about the political direction in Washington. Ukraine says international backing will be vital to ensure that Russia’s military aggression ends without further destabilising the continent.
