Ukraine alleges Russia enlists more than 1,700 Africans to fight
Al Jazeera
February 25, 2026
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Ukraine has accused Russia of recruiting over 1,780 African citizens to fight in its war effort, with many of these individuals being lured by false promises of employment. During a joint news conference in Kyiv, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha revealed that Russian forces are enlisting Africans from at least 36 countries, positioning them on the front lines without proper training or background. Ghana’s foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, echoed these concerns, describing the recruitment as a form of deception and exploitation.
The allegations come amid increasing reports of African nationals from countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe being lured into Russia through deceptive job offers on platforms such as the dark web. These individuals, often with no prior military experience, are allegedly forced into combat roles in Ukraine’s conflict zone. Both Ukrainian and Ghanaian officials have called for a ceasefire and urged international cooperation to address this growing issue.
Russia has denied these claims, but recent developments suggest otherwise. For instance, South Africa successfully repatriated 11 of its citizens
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/25/2026