Ukraine claims over 1,400 Africans recruited by Russia to fight in the war

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has claimed that over 1,400 people from 36 African countries are currently fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine. He said many African nationals have been lured into joining through false job offers, promises of money, or coercion, and most of them face death soon after being sent to the frontlines. Sybiha stated that foreign citizens serving in the Russian army “meet a tragic fate,” as they are immediately deployed in so-called “meat assaults,” where they are quickly killed. According to him, “most mercenaries do not survive more than a month.”

Sybiha added that Russia recruits African citizens through various means — some are offered money, others are deceived into signing military contracts, and some are forced under duress. He warned, “Signing such a military contract is equivalent to signing a death sentence.”

His warning came as several African governments acknowledged that their citizens had joined Russian forces. South Africa revealed that 17 of its nationals had become involved with mercenary groups and are currently trapped in Ukraine’s Donbas region. These men, aged 20 to 39, were reportedly lured under the pretext of “lucrative job offers.” President Cyril Ramaphosa said the men had issued distress calls for help to return home. His spokesperson added that it was still unclear which side the men were fighting on, but Russia has already been accused of recruiting foreigners to fight under the guise of employment opportunities.

Russia has also been accused of deceiving women from South Africa and other African nations into working in Russian drone factories, using social media campaigns that promised jobs in fields like catering and hospitality.

Kenya also reported that some of its citizens had been detained in Russian military camps after unknowingly becoming involved in the conflict. Kenyan President William Ruto said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about young Kenyans who were illegally recruited to fight in the war, and both agreed to raise awareness about the dangers of such exploitation. Ruto also requested Zelenskyy to release any Kenyans held in Ukrainian custody, and expressed gratitude that Zelenskyy had agreed to his appeal.

Sybiha noted that the true number of African recruits could exceed the 1,436 identified so far. He said most foreign fighters captured by Ukraine were taken during their very first combat mission, and that Kyiv would soon release more details about the origins of these captured recruits.

Ukrainian officials have long accused Russia of bolstering its ranks with foreign fighters using deceptive tactics. In August, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian troops fighting near the border town of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region included mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and several African countries, according to reports from Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines.

In summary, Ukraine accuses Russia of exploiting African citizens through false promises, manipulation, and coercion, sending them to the battlefield with little chance of survival. This revelation has raised serious ethical and humanitarian concerns globally about Russia’s recruitment practices and treatment of foreign fighters.