A newly surfaced video from the frontline in Ukraine has sparked serious concerns about Russia’s continued exploitation of ethnic minorities in its war of aggression. The footage, shared widely across social media, shows a group of soldiers at a Russian military post—all of whom are visibly non-Slavic. One of the servicemen remarks, “That’s how they fight for Russia. Not a single Russian.” The soldier, identified as an ethnic Buryat, appears alongside other troops from minority groups including the Yakut, Chukcha, Nivkh, Nanai, and Yukaghir communities. Two individuals from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan are also present in the clip.
The short but striking video exposes what human rights groups and analysts have been warning since the beginning of the full scale invasion in February 2022: the Kremlin has been disproportionately conscripting and deploying ethnic minorities to the front lines, while ethnic Russians avoid direct combat in significant numbers. The precise location of the video is unknown, but the message is unmistakable—Russia’s so called war effort is built on the backs and blood of its most vulnerable populations.
Since the invasion began, Russia has relied heavily on its poor and remote regions for manpower. The Siberian and Far Eastern republics—where many of these minority groups live—have suffered staggering casualty rates. Meanwhile, urban centres with predominantly ethnic Russian populations remain largely untouched by the human cost of the war. While the Russian dictator makes claims of unity and patriotism, it is clear that the sacrifices are not shared equally.
The overrepresentation of these minority communities among Russian casualties raises deep concerns about the long term effects on already marginalised populations. Reports from independent observers suggest entire villages have lost many of their young men, crippling local economies and tearing apart families. The practice amounts to a silent ethnic cleansing—sacrificing minority citizens in pursuit of the Kremlin’s imperial ambitions in Ukraine.
The video also highlights a growing awareness among the soldiers themselves. What began as casual commentary in the clip carries a painful truth: those dying for the Russian flag are often not ethnic Russians at all. Many of these men were conscripted under pressure, without proper equipment or training, and with little choice.
This clear pattern of systemic exploitation stands in stark contrast to Russia’s public messaging. Russian state media continues to glorify the war effort and present a united front.
