According to the information from the SGB, these individuals were associated with religious extremist and international terrorist groups or fought as mercenaries in foreign military structures.
The film released by the SGB also emphasizes that, to date, citizens of Uzbekistan have extensive employment opportunities both at home and abroad, including for the establishment of joint ventures with foreign partners. Currently, more than 1.8 million Uzbeks are successfully working outside the country. Nevertheless, every year, hundreds of citizens are identified as participating in foreign armed formations.
However, it is not specified in which particular conflicts they participated. Earlier, local media reported on court sentences for citizens who fought on the side of Russia in the conflict with Ukraine.
The exact number of Uzbeks fighting in the ranks of the Russian army remains unknown, as the country's authorities do not publish official data. However, the Ukrainian state project "I Want to Live" stated in October 2025 that there is information about "at least 2,715 citizens of Uzbekistan who have fought or continue to fight against Ukraine."
According to the data from this project, in 2023, 498 Uzbeks fought on the side of Russia, and in the first half of 2025, their number increased to nearly 1,300.
