Kyiv [Ukraine], November 8 (ANI): Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has warned that over 1,400 individuals from 36 African countries are fighting for Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. He urged African governments to warn their citizens against joining a conflict where they are “quickly killed.”
Sybiha accused Moscow of luring Africans into joining the war through deceptive military contracts, calling them “equivalent to a death sentence.” In a post on X, he wrote, “Foreign citizens in the Russian army have a sad fate. Most of them are immediately sent to the so-called ‘meat assaults,’ where they are quickly killed.”
“Most mercenaries do not survive more than a month,” he added.
According to Sybiha, Russia recruits African nationals using multiple methods. “Some are offered money, while others are duped and do not realise what they are signing up for, or are forced to do so under duress. Signing a contract is equivalent to signing a death sentence,” he said.
Several African governments have acknowledged cases of their citizens joining Russian forces. South Africa confirmed it is investigating 17 of its nationals who sought assistance to return home after being reportedly trapped in the Donbas region. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the men, aged between 20 and 39, were lured with promises of lucrative employment contracts, according to Al Jazeera.
A spokesperson for Ramaphosa said it was not yet clear which side the men were fighting for, though Russia has faced accusations of recruiting foreign fighters under the guise of offering legitimate employment. Reports also indicate that Russia has targeted women from South Africa and other African nations, promising jobs in catering and hospitality to lure them into working at drone factories.
Kenya also confirmed last month that some of its citizens had been detained in Russian military camps after unknowingly being drawn into the war. In a social media post, Kenyan President William Ruto said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding “young Kenyans who have been illegally recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine,” and that both leaders agreed to “raise awareness of the dangers of such ventures.” Ruto also asked Zelenskyy to “facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody” and expressed gratitude for his cooperation.
Sybiha warned that the actual number of African recruits may exceed the 1,436 identified so far. He said most foreign fighters captured by Ukraine were taken during their first combat mission, and Kyiv plans to release more details about their origins.
Ukrainian officials have long accused Russia of reinforcing its forces with foreign fighters, often using deceptive tactics. In August, President Zelenskyy said Russian troops near Vovchansk in Kharkiv included mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and several African nations, citing frontline reports.
China dismissed the allegations as “irresponsible remarks,” while Pakistan called them “baseless and unfounded.” The Kyiv Independent reported that several hundred Chinese nationals have fought for Russia, and in April, some were captured by Ukrainian troops. Zelenskyy also pointed to recruitment videos circulating on Chinese social media platforms.
In October, the Kyiv Independent reported the capture of a 22-year-old foreign national who joined Russian forces to avoid a seven-year prison sentence for drug charges. Many recruits, it said, are promised high salaries, Russian citizenship, or non-combat roles but are sent directly to the battlefield instead.
Ukraine believes the largest contingent of foreign fighters in Russia’s ranks may be from Cuba, with estimates suggesting that up to 20,000 Cubans have been recruited as mercenaries, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI)
About The Author
