BBC probe alleges recruiter sent Syrians to Ukraine front (Full Transcript)

BBC traces hundreds of invites tied to a recruiter accused of misleading foreign fighters for Russia; families report sons dead or missing.

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[00:00:00] Speaker 1: Esta es una nota de voz enviada desde el frente ruso en la guerra en Ucrania por un hombre sirio al que llamamos Omar. Es uno de los miles de combatientes extranjeros reclutados por todo el mundo para luchar en el ejército ruso. BBCI ha estado investigando la red que recluta a estos combatientes. Rastreamos más de 490 invitaciones enviadas por una mujer, Polina Aleksandrovna, una reclutadora del ejército ruso que opera a través de redes sociales como Facebook y Telegram. Omar es uno de muchos que aseguran haber sido engañados por Polina. Les prometió que no estarían involucrados en combates si pagaban una comisión.

[00:00:48] Speaker 2: Pero fueron enviados al frente.

[00:00:54] Speaker 1: La BBC rastreó a 12 familias cuyos hijos fueron reclutados por Polina. Todos están muertos o desaparecidos.

[00:01:01] Speaker 3: Cuando Omar se negó a pagarle a Polina, ella le envió este video con una amenaza.

[00:01:17] Speaker 4: Pero Omar logró escapar y ahora está en Siria.

[00:01:25] Speaker 1: La BBC presentó a Polina las acusaciones que hay contra ella, a lo que respondió. La BBC contactó con el Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y el Ministerio de Defensa de Rusia, pero no hubo respuesta. No hay respuesta.

Summary

A BBC investigation examines a network recruiting foreign fighters—including Syrians—for Russia’s war in Ukraine. A Syrian man nicknamed Omar says he and others were misled by a recruiter, Polina Aleksandrovna, who used platforms like Facebook and Telegram and allegedly promised non-combat roles in exchange for a commission, but recruits were sent to the front. The BBC traced hundreds of invitations linked to Polina and identified families whose sons were recruited and are now dead or missing. Omar refused to pay, received a threatening video, later escaped, and returned to Syria. Polina denied or responded to allegations, while Russian ministries did not reply to BBC inquiries.

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Title

BBC Investigates Alleged Scheme Recruiting Syrians for Russia

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Keywords

BBC investigation Remove

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foreign fighters Remove

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Russia

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Ukraine war Remove

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Syria

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recruitment network Remove

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Polina Aleksandrovna Remove

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Facebook

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Telegram

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deception

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commission Remove

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threats

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missing soldiers Remove

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Key Takeaways

BBC reports on an alleged social-media-based recruitment pipeline for foreign fighters into Russia’s army.
A recruiter named Polina Aleksandrovna allegedly promised non-combat roles for a fee but recruits say they were sent to the front.
BBC traced 490+ invitations and linked 12 families whose recruited sons are dead or missing.
Omar says he was threatened after refusing to pay, but he escaped and returned to Syria.
Russian ministries contacted by the BBC reportedly did not respond to requests for comment.

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Sentiments

Negative: The tone is investigative and grim, focusing on alleged deception, coercion, threats, and deaths or disappearances of recruited fighters, with authorities not responding.

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