LIMA — Peru's public prosecutor in Lima has opened an investigation into an alleged human trafficking network accused of luring citizens with false job offers that resulted in them fighting for Russia in Ukraine. The inquiry will focus on the alleged crimes of "human trafficking" and "aggravated human trafficking."

According to a statement, individuals were "recruited through deceptive job offers to work as security agents and other roles" in Russia, "with the promise of financial compensation." Moscow's embassy in Lima acknowledged in a statement that Peruvians had signed contracts to join the Russian armed forces.

Percy Salinas, a lawyer representing families of people who ended up on the front lines in Ukraine, said 13 Peruvians have died in the war so far. He said recruits were offered monthly salaries of between $2,000 and $3,000. An estimated 600 Peruvians have been lured since last October to fight for Russia, Salinas said.

The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked the Russian embassy to clarify the situation and to provide information about the location and wellbeing of citizens serving in the Russian military. Under Peruvian law, citizens are required to seek permission from the Foreign Ministry before serving in a foreign military.

Families of some of the victims who said they were recruited under false pretences to fight in Ukraine protested outside the ministry in Lima on Thursday, demanding their loved ones be repatriated.

Peru is the latest country to raise complaints against Russia over the deceptive recruitment of foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine. More than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries are believed to be fighting alongside Russian forces, according to Ukrainian estimates from February. Russia has acknowledged enlisting soldiers from North Korea, thousands of whom are estimated to have been killed or wounded in battle, as part of a military pact agreed between Moscow and Pyongyang.