Kyiv: More than 1,700 African nationals are believed to be fighting alongside Russian forces in the war in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials, raising alarm among African governments and families searching for missing relatives.
Ukraine says the fighters come from about 36 African countries and that many were recruited through misleading offers of jobs and better opportunities abroad. Officials claim some men were promised work as security guards, construction workers or technicians, only to find themselves sent to the battlefield after arrival in Russia.
Russia has denied wrongdoing and maintains that foreigners are allowed to enlist voluntarily. However, reports from African authorities and returned recruits suggest that some signed contracts in Russian without fully understanding they were joining the military.
Investigations indicate that recruiters often target unemployed youth and former security personnel seeking stable income. Many travel on tourist visas through transit countries before reaching Russia.
Kenya is among the countries most affected. Intelligence reports suggest more than 1,000 Kenyans may have been recruited. Some are reported missing, injured or hospitalized, while others have been repatriated. Kenyan authorities are planning diplomatic engagement to address the issue.
South Africa has also reported cases of men allegedly lured into the conflict and later returned home. Ghana has raised concerns about its citizens and has requested assistance in securing the release of those captured.
Authorities across Africa are warning citizens not to accept suspicious overseas job offers. Military and security officials in several countries, including Uganda, have cautioned that citizens risk exploitation and legal consequences if they join foreign armed groups.
Diplomats say the issue could strain Russia’s relations with African nations, many of which are demanding stronger protections for their citizens. African leaders are increasingly raising the matter in international discussions, while governments explore ways to dismantle recruitment networks.
Experts warn that economic hardship, unemployment and migration pressures make young people vulnerable to deceptive recruitment schemes. Families of those who left in search of work often lose contact, leaving communities struggling for answers.
As the war continues, the growing presence of foreign recruits highlights how the conflict’s impact is reaching far beyond Europe, affecting lives and livelihoods across Africa.