Ukraine accuses Russia of recruiting over 1,400 Africans for frontline combat
Kyiv says the recruitment is part of Russia’s efforts to strengthen its forces amid mounting casualties in the ongoing war.
Ukraine has accused Russia of recruiting more than 1,400 African nationals to fight in its invasion of Ukraine, warning that many of them are being sent on dangerous missions where they are likely to die.
Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said the fighters come from at least 36 African countries, accusing Moscow of luring them with contracts that amount to “a death sentence.” He urged African governments to caution their citizens against joining the Russian military.
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“Foreign citizens in the Russian army have a sad fate. Most of them are immediately sent to the ‘meat assaults’ where they are killed,” Sybiha posted on X.
Kyiv says the recruitment is part of Russia’s efforts to strengthen its forces amid mounting casualties in the ongoing war.
According to Sybiha, the true number of Africans fighting for Russia could be higher than the 1,436 already identified, as Ukraine continues to verify information about the origins of captured foreign fighters.
He added that most of the mercenaries detained by Ukrainian forces were captured during their first combat missions. Ukraine plans to share details about the countries and regions from which the fighters have been recruited.
The revelations come as some African governments begin to investigate reports that their citizens have been drawn into the conflict.
On Thursday, South Africa said it was looking into the cases of 17 nationals who had joined mercenary groups in Russia and were now seeking help to return home.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the South African men aged between 20 and 39 were lured into joining mercenary forces “under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts” and had issued distress calls after becoming trapped in the Donbas area of Ukraine.
Kenya also confirmed last month that several of its citizens were being held in Russian military camps after getting caught up in the fighting.
On Friday, Kenyan President William Ruto said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about “young Kenyans who have been illegally recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine” and both agreed to “raise awareness of the dangers of such ventures”.
Ruto said he asked his Ukrainian counterpart to “facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody” and was grateful that Zelenskyy had agreed “to my appeal”.
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