local
Peruvians say they were promised jobs in Russia, but landed on the front lines in Ukraine
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 28, 2026
· 11 min read
By Magdalena Sofia Vitores Moreno, Max Saltman, Jimena De La Quintaña, Katharina Krebs, CNN
(CNN) — The last time Norma saw her son was in late January, when she dropped him off at an airport in Peru’s capital, Lima. He told her he found a job as a cook for the Russian army advertised on social...
Key takeaway Her 31-year-old son had never left Peru before and had never even held a weapon.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The situation of Peruvian men being lured into fighting in Ukraine has a direct impact on the El Paso community, given the city's large Hispanic population and cultural ties to Latin America. Many El Paso residents have family members or friends who have migrated to the US from Peru and other Latin American countries, and the story may resonate with them on a personal level. The use of social media to recruit fighters also raises concerns about the vulnerability of local residents to similar scams or deceptive recruitment tactics. El Paso's proximity to the US-Mexico border and its history of human trafficking and smuggling also make it a crucial location for authorities to be vigilant about such activities. As the story of Norma's son and other Peruvian men unfolds, El Paso residents may be watching closely to see how local law enforcement and community organizations respond to potential recruitment efforts in the area.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 11 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Magdalena Sofia Vitores Moreno, Max Saltman, Jimena De La Quintaña, Katharina Krebs, CNN
(CNN) — The last time Norma saw her son was in late January, when she dropped him off at an airport in Peru’s capital, Lima. He told her he found a job as a cook for the Russian army advertised on social...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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