‘You either fight or die’: Kenyans tricked into joining Russia-Ukraine war
Al Jazeera
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Kenyans and individuals from 36 other African countries have been lured into fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine through fraudulent recruitment tactics. Many were promised jobs abroad, only to find themselves on the front lines of the conflict. The Kenyan government recently revealed that over 1,000 Kenyans are involved, with some reported as missing or injured. These recruits, including truck drivers and other untrained civilians, were deceived by agents offering false job opportunities in countries like Russia and China.
One such case is Dancan Chege, a Kenyan truck driver who was recruited after losing his job. He was promised work in Dubai but was instead sent to Russia, where he was trained as a soldier and forced into combat. Chege shared his harrowing experience of being tricked, stating that many recruits realized they had been duped only after arriving in Ukraine. The article highlights how these individuals were manipulated by agents who exploited their desperation for work, offering them visas and tickets to Russia under false pretenses.
The situation raises significant concerns about the global implications of such recruitment practices. With reports emerging
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/23/2026