Brazilian Deaths in Ukraine War Surge, Itamaraty Issues Warning

Brazil - Ekhbary News Agency

Brazilian Deaths in Ukraine War Surge, Itamaraty Issues Warning

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has tragically resulted in a significant increase in Brazilian fatalities, with the number of deaths in 2025 alone surpassing the total for all prior years of the war, which began in February 2022. Data released by Brazil's Ministry of External Relations (Itamaraty) to the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reveals that 23 Brazilian citizens have been confirmed dead since the war's inception. Alarmingly, 12 of these individuals (52%) lost their lives last year (2025), with three more confirmed deceased early this year.

Beyond fatalities, Itamaraty also notes a substantial rise in Brazilians reported missing. The total number of missing persons now stands at 44, with a staggering 77% (34 individuals) added to this list in 2025. It is crucial to note that these figures represent only cases formally communicated to Brazilian authorities by the Russian and Ukrainian governments.

These escalating numbers have prompted serious concern within the Brazilian government, which has intensified its public awareness campaigns on social media, highlighting the severe risks associated with engaging in foreign conflicts. Itamaraty is also drawing attention to cases where Brazilian citizens report facing extreme difficulties in leaving the ranks of foreign armies after enlistment, effectively becoming trapped in conflict zones.

Investigations and reports indicate that Brazilians are often recruited through intermediaries, including fellow Brazilians operating abroad. Furthermore, social media platforms are used to disseminate enticing content that glorifies combat and promises advanced military training and lucrative salaries. However, the reality encountered by these recruits frequently starkly contrasts with the online portrayals.

In a recent development, there are unconfirmed reports of another Brazilian casualty this week in Ukraine. Wesley Adriano Silva, a native of Pará state, was reportedly fighting as a volunteer with Ukrainian forces against Russia. Friends posting on social media suggest he succumbed to artillery fire. Silva, who used the online moniker "Índio Boa Morte," had been sharing images and videos of his activities in Eastern Europe. Itamaraty currently lists him as missing.

In response to the growing number of Brazilian casualties, Itamaraty reiterated its strong recommendation on Thursday (12th) for all citizens to refuse any invitations or job offers to join foreign armies. The ministry emphasized that consular assistance for individuals involved in such enlistments may be "severely limited" due to the contractual terms signed with third-country armed forces. The alert explicitly states, "There is no obligation on the part of public authorities to pay for travel expenses or provide return costs." The ministry further warns that citizens who volunteer are also subject to legal proceedings in international and Brazilian courts.

In a harrowing personal account, civil engineer Mariana Figueredo de Souza, 28, shared her anguish and the significant financial burden she incurred to help her brother escape Ukraine. Motivated by social media posts, her brother had volunteered for the Kyiv army and traveled to Europe in November of the previous year. However, he was deeply disillusioned by the conditions imposed upon him and expressed profound regret over his decision.

According to Mariana, her brother was deceived by false promises of humanitarian work, only to find himself involved in what she described as "suicide missions" on the front lines with inadequate training, and allegedly witnessing corruption within the troops. When he attempted to leave, commanders reportedly prevented his departure. Mariana recounted how she had to hire an app-based driver from Brazil for €250 (approximately R$1,535) to extract him from the battlefield in eastern Ukraine during a moment of guard negligence.

Upon reaching Lviv in western Ukraine, her brother was allegedly prevented from crossing the border into Poland, with authorities citing his active contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This prevented him from boarding his flight back to Brazil from Poland, the ticket for which cost R$12,000. Mariana described the ordeal: "I couldn't work for a week. I didn't eat or sleep. I was desperate."

He was finally able to leave Ukraine days later, in December, with guidance from the Brazilian Embassy in Kyiv. Mariana estimates the total financial loss incurred to be around R$25,000, covering flights, accommodation, and food. Her brother is currently receiving psychological support in their hometown of Itapevi, São Paulo. Mariana noted that out of a group of more than five individuals who embarked on similar paths, two were killed, and three were injured. She has chosen not to disclose her brother's name for security reasons.

A study published in January by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington estimates up to 1.8 million military casualties since the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, through the end of 2025, including 465,000 deaths and the remainder being wounded and incapacitated. In recent months, with reduced support from the United States to Ukraine, Russian forces have been making slow but steady advances in the east of the country.

Ekhbary News Agency