Overview
- A background paper urges all EU and Schengen states to impose full entry bans and to deny visas and residence permits to identified participants in the invasion.
- The assessment estimates about 1.5 million Russians have taken part in combat since 2022, with roughly 640,000 still active.
- Authors warn former fighters pose heightened risks including violent crime, infiltration by organized crime and extremist groups, and recruitment by Russian intelligence.
- The paper links returnees to a surge in serious offenses in Russia, noting up to 180,000 convicted prisoners were recruited into special units and many later committed severe crimes.
- Unnamed diplomats caution that differing national visa rules and difficulties proving individual participation could complicate any EU‑wide measure, while Estonia reports more than 260 national visa bans already in place.