US EditionMore than 1,700 Africans fighting for Russia, Ukraine says
Ukrainian officials say Russia used trafficking networks to lure Africans from 36 countries into fighting, with over 1,700 recruited under false job promises, officials said.
- On Feb 25, 2026, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told a news conference that over 1,700 Africans are fighting for Russia, stating `We clearly see that Russia is trying to drag African citizens into a deadly war`.
- In recent months, reports have surfaced that African men were lured to Russia with job promises and ended up on Ukraine's front line, prompting talks with governments across Africa to prevent this.
- African officials say recruits span the continent, noting African fighters come from 36 countries, and Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa warned, `They have no security background. They have no military background. They have not been trained.`
- Reports of recruitment have strained ties between Moscow and African countries, while Russian authorities deny illegal recruitment, and Ghana will ask Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to release two Ghanaian prisoners of war.
- On Wednesday, Ukraine's data cited over 1,780 citizens from the African continent fighting for Russia, as Ablakwa called for a ceasefire on Tuesday, marking the war's fourth anniversary.
24 Articles
24 Articles
At least 1,780 young Africans from 36 countries are currently fighting in the ranks of the Russian army in the Ukrainian war, reported on Wednesday Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Many of them traveled to Russia to continue their studies or with the promise of a well-paid job, without knowing that they would be forced to go to war as “gun meat”, according to a report by the Inpact research organization that has revealed the existence o…
Kyiv says more than 1,700 Africans have joined Russia’s military
More than 1,700 Africans are fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, Kyiv said, many lured with work offers from Moscow. Ukraine’s foreign minister said he was in discussions with African leaders to prevent their citizens from being drawn into such schemes: Reports of Africans going to Russia have become increasingly common as Moscow’s war losses pile up. Pretoria has in recent days moved to repatriate its nationals stranded in Russia, s…
11 South African men allegedly tricked into fighting in Ukraine return
Eleven South African men allegedly tricked into fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine returned home Wednesday, as political fallout intensifies over recruitment claims linked to former president Jacob Zuma's party.
Attracted by ruse for the formation of security guards, they found themselves forced to fight in the Donbass alongside the Russian army.
Throughout Africa, Russia recruits men for war operations - even with deceptive maneuvers. The families at home are looking for ways to rescue the dead to bury them.
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