Uzbekistan Opens 338 Cases Against Citizens Who Participated in Foreign Conflicts

In recent years, the number of criminal cases against Uzbek citizens who participated in armed conflicts abroad has sharply increased. According to Gazeta , citing a documentary prepared by the State Security Service (SSS), 338 cases have been opened since 2022 under Article 154 of the Criminal Code, which deals with mercenary activity.

According to the data released by the SSS:

• 2022 – 19 cases

• 2023 – 68 cases

• 2024 – 112 cases

• 2025 – 139 cases (before the year ended)

The security service noted that these citizens served as mercenaries in religious-extremist groups, international terrorist organizations, or foreign military formations.

The documentary does not specify which conflicts these Uzbeks participated in. However, local media previously reported on Uzbek citizens who were prosecuted for fighting on Russia's side in the war in Ukraine.

Uzbek authorities have not disclosed the exact number of citizens serving in the Russian army. Nevertheless, Ukrainian sources provided some information:

• According to Ukraine’s state project “I Want to Live,” by October 2025, at least 2,715 Uzbek citizens had participated or were participating in the war against Ukraine.

• Of these, 498 fought in 2023, and about 1,300 fought on Russia's side in the first half of 2025.

The Uzbek government prosecutes citizens who participate in foreign armed conflicts under national law and continues to strengthen monitoring in this area.