OR Kenya revealed on Wednesday (12.11.2025) that more than 200 of its citizens are currently fighting in the ranks of Russia’s military in Ukraine.
In a statement, Kenya’s foreign ministry warns of “active recruitment operations” coming from the Russia and aim to draw even more Kenyans into the war in Ukraine, using false promises of work and technical training.
According to Nairobi, some prospective recruits were allegedly promised up to $18,000 to cover visa, travel and accommodation expenses in Russia. The Kenyan embassy in Moscow has already recorded cases of injuries among the new recruits.
Recruitment networks in Kenya and Russia
The ministry says the networks behind the recruitment operate in both Kenya and Russia, exploiting the financial insecurity of young people. In September, in an operation near Nairobi, the authorities located and rescued 21 Kenyans who were about to be sent to the Ukrainian front. A suspect was arrested and is facing criminal charges.
The Russian embassy in Nairobi has yet to comment on the allegations.
Thousands of African fighters on the side of Russia
Last week, Kiev announced that 1,436 fighters from 36 African countries were fighting alongside Russian forces. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sibykha accused Moscow of “exploiting and manipulating” Africans through contracts that are “equivalent to death sentences”.
Nairobi urges its citizens to avoid any offer of military employment abroad and to report suspicious approaches. At the same time, Kenya says it will work with other African governments to curb the spread of these mercenary networks to Russia and Ukraine.