Rodolfo Antonio Chico Ketterer, a 30-year-old from Cunco in the La Araucanía region, traveled to Russia in May following a job offer accessed through TikTok and ultimately signed a contract to serve in the Armed Forces of Russia, according to official government reports. His relatives report that he has been out of contact for three months.
The job opportunity promised a contract signing bonus exceeding $25 million, alongside paid transport, lodging, and food, as reported by his family. Juan Chico Alarcón, the young man’s father, stated that his son believed the offer was for a training course to become a Russian military police officer rather than serving as a combat soldier. The father noted that a military police officer operates within a garrison or regiment to maintain order and does not carry weapons to go to war. Rodolfo Antonio Chico Ketterer stopped communicating with his family on June 21, after previously sending photographs from a base in the Russian Federation.
Official Records and Diplomatic Inquiries
Official information provided by the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs contradicts the family’s initial understanding of the employment. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Rodolfo signed a contract on June 3 to serve in the Armed Forces of Russia. The official document further states that he was placed at the disposal of the commander of a military unit within the Moscow Military District starting July 1, following an absence of more than ten days for reasons that remain unknown.
Juan Chico Alarcón maintains that his son was deceived and demands clarity on how the contract was signed and where the 30-year-old is currently located. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the Chilean consulate in Moscow previously requested details regarding the compatriot’s whereabouts and will launch a new administrative effort with Russian authorities to gather additional background information. The family expects these diplomatic actions will help determine what happened to Rodolfo and clarify his current situation.
Did You Know? The job offer that drew Rodolfo Antonio Chico Ketterer to Russia in May included a contract signing bonus of more than $25 million, which he accessed through the social media platform TikTok.
Regional Patterns in Recruitment
Similar recruitment situations have surfaced in neighboring countries over recent months. In August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru acknowledged that at least 459 Peruvian citizens had been targeted by Russia through apparent deceptions, leading to their recruitment and deployment to war zones.
Data from the Peruvian foreign ministry indicates that at least 11 Peruvian nationals died after traveling to Russia under these circumstances. Furthermore, 114 individuals remain reported as missing, and three have been documented as prisoners held by Ukraine.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Rodolfo Antonio Chico Ketterer travel to Russia?
He traveled to Russia in May of this year after finding a job opportunity on TikTok.
What job role did the family believe he was taking?
His father stated that Rodolfo believed he was accepting a course to become a Russian military police officer rather than a combat soldier.
What do official records show about his military status?
According to information from the Russian Ministry of Defense provided via the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rodolfo signed a contract on June 3 to perform military service in the Armed Forces of Russia.
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