A group of Dominican workers who embarked on a trip to Russia in October 2026 seeking jobs as welders, mechanics, and construction report that the job promises turned into military contracts in the Donetsk region, within the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to witnesses, the trip was organized with payments up to $19,000, including transport and documentation.
Conditions changed upon arrival
The affected individuals recount that upon arriving in Starobesheve, in the Russia‑controlled region, they received different information about the actual salary and deductions related to relocation. They also claim that their passports were kept under third‑party control, making voluntary departure difficult. The group stated that the promised payments were not fulfilled and that they were forced to hand over 80,000 rubles as an “operational fund”.
Situation in the Donetsk area
In a video from October 9, the workers showed daily walks of 10 to 20 kilometers and, at times, only one meal per shift. One of them explained that he tried to hide the situation from his family in the Dominican Republic to avoid causing worry, but decided to record the message to request public help. A screenshot from a location‑tracking app indicated that one member’s phone was in Starobesheve on October 4.
Revealed documentation
Among the documents submitted is a sheet presented as an instruction plan dated October 5, written in Spanish and referencing the “Assault Company of the First Motorized Rifle Battalion” and training on radio equipment. The material also includes screenshots of a Russian bank account showing transactions of 80,000 rubles.
Request for intervention by the Dominican government
In a collective message addressed to the president, the media, and public figures, the Dominicans requested authorities’ intervention to be able to return to the country. The case recalls the warning issued by the Dominican Foreign Ministry at the end of September about job offers in Russia that could link citizens to activities related to the conflict. The lack of an explicit cause in the document heightens the affected individuals’ concern about the possibility of safely leaving the area.
Repercussions and context
The situation exposes the vulnerability of migrants seeking employment in conflict zones and the lack of effective regulation in labor contracts offered by foreign agencies. It also raises questions about the role of Dominican authorities in protecting their citizens abroad and the responsibility of companies that facilitate labor migration in risky contexts.
Source credits: diarioaldia.com
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