New information is coming to light about the way in which the Russia recruits citizens of third countries, particularly from Africa, to fight with the Russian army in Ukraine.
This is an issue that has been brought to the fore in the past, from the testimonies of African prisoners of war in Ukraine, who revealed that they were forced to fight with Russian troops in order to survive.
More than 1,400 nationals of 36 African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, it was announced today (07.11.2025) by the Foreign Minister of Kyiv.
Ukrainian officials say Russia has attempted to shore up its forces attacking its neighbor by recruiting fighters from other countries, in some cases through ruse.
Andrii Sibiha reported that Russia convinces Africans to sign contractswhich he described as “equivalent to… a death sentence” and urged African governments to warn their citizens.
«Foreign nationals in the Russian army have a sad fate“, the head of Ukrainian diplomacy wrote in X. “Most of them are immediately sent on attacks as ‘cannon fodder’, where they are soon killed.”
South Africa said yesterday it would investigate how 17 of its nationals joined mercenary forces after the men urgently sought help to return home.
And Kenya said last month that some of its citizens were being held in camps in Russia after being unknowingly drawn into the war.
Sibiha noted that the total number of Africans recruited could be higher compared to the 1,436 identified from 36 countries and that most of the foreign mercenaries held by Ukraine were captured on their first mission to the front.
Ukraine will provide more accurate information about the countries and regions from which Russia is recruiting soldiers.