Fifteen Montenegro nationals fight in the Russia-Ukraine war; recruitment networks under scrutiny

At least fifteen Montenegrin nationals, most of them allegedly recruited and paid, are fighting on Russia’s side in the war in Ukraine, Pobjeda daily has reported, citing unnamed security sources.

According to Pobjeda, one Montenegrin, identified as V.D. from the town of Niksic, has been killed, while another is missing.

Montenegrin investigators are reportedly working to identify those involved in recruiting and financing citizens who travel to foreign battlefields, as well as the networks organizing such departures.

Publicly available information from the National Security Agency, ANB, hasn’t officially confirmed that Montenegrin citizens travelled to fight in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion started back in February 2022.

Under the law, participation in foreign military, paramilitary or police formations represents a criminal offence punishable by up to 10-year imprisonment.