South Africa secures return of 11 men ‘lured’ into Russia-Ukraine war
Al Jazeera
February 25, 2026
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for facilitating the repatriation of 11 South Africans who were lured into fighting for Russia in Ukraine. These men, aged between 20 and 39, had been tricked into joining mercenary forces under false promises of lucrative job opportunities. After being stranded in Ukraine's Donbas region, they reached out to their government for help. Four of the men have already returned home, while two others remain in Russia, one in a hospital and the other awaiting repatriation.
The recruitment of these individuals highlights a broader issue of fraudulent job offers targeting young men across Africa. Reports from Kenya and Zimbabwe suggest similar schemes, with some Africans ending up on the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. South African authorities are investigating how the 17 men were recruited, including allegations linking Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, to the scheme. She has denied any wrongdoing but resigned from her parliamentary role amid the allegations.
South Africa's government banned its citizens from fighting for foreign armies without official authorization. The country has maintained a non-aligned stance on the Ukraine conflict while preserving strong ties with Russia through BRICS (Brazil, India, South Africa, China). Despite this neutrality, the repatriation efforts underscore the challenges of balancing international relations with human rights concerns.
The case also sheds light on the broader impact of the war on African nations. Ukraine's foreign minister revealed that over 1,400 Africans
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/25/2026