The Wagner Group is a Russia-based private military company (PMC) comprised of a network of businesses and mercenary groups that operates across the globe. 

The report challenges misconceptions about the size and composition of foreign fighters to Ukraine, estimating that perhaps 2,000 foreign fighters have fought in the country—far less than the figure of 20,000—and that only small group of far-right individuals are amongst the foreign fighters active in Ukraine.

Based on the learnings from dealing with returned western foreign terrorist fighters who had joined ISIS and other terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq, EU member states should start preparations to ensure an individualized, comprehensive, and multi-professional case management of returning foreign fighters when they leave for the conflict zone, not just when they return.

The Russia-Ukraine war has been attracting foreign fighters/volunteers since 2014. Initially, the number of foreign individuals joining the conflict was limited. However, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, 2022 provided a seemingly seismic shift in this field with up to 20,000 foreigners expressing an interest in joining the Ukrainian war effort.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, reanimated recruitment activities and individual motivations for foreign volunteers to travel to the war zone.Although by far the smallest number of volunteers traveling to Ukraine, foreign violence-oriented extremists traveling to Ukraine represent clear security risks. 

The brief provides a risk assessment of the potential threats posed by violence-oriented extremists in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war once they return to their prior countries of residence/homeland. The brief concludes with policy recommendations to quickly and comprehensive identify and share knowledge on this threat as well as disrupt the travel of violence-oriented extremists to Ukraine.