South Africa’s government announced that 11 of 17 men lured to fight for Russia in Ukraine will return home soon, according to president Cyril Ramaphosa’s office. The statement on Tuesday confirmed that four of the South African nationals had already landed back in the country last week, while two others remained in Russia, with one hospitalized in Moscow.
President Ramaphosa raised the fate of these men during a phone call with Russian president Vladimir Putin earlier this month. The 17 South African men sent distress calls to their government in November after becoming trapped in Ukraine’s Donbas region, highlighting a growing concern over recruitment practices targeting African nationals.
Men Lured to Fight for Russia Face Repatriation Challenges
Reports of African men being lured to Russia with promises of jobs and ending up on Ukraine’s front line have become more frequent in recent months. These incidents have created tensions between Moscow and some of the countries involved, according to government statements.
The issue extends beyond South Africa’s borders. A Kenyan intelligence report presented to lawmakers last week estimated that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight on Russia’s side in the war in Ukraine, according to officials familiar with the matter.
Regional Diplomatic Response
Kenya’s foreign minister has said he plans to visit Russia to address the recruitment issue directly with Russian authorities. Meanwhile, other African nations have begun investigating similar reports of their citizens being deceived into military service.
The men who were lured into fighting for Russia reportedly responded to advertisements offering employment opportunities in Russia. However, upon arrival, they allegedly found themselves coerced into military service and deployed to conflict zones in Ukraine.
The repatriation effort follows diplomatic negotiations between South African officials and their Russian counterparts. President Ramaphosa’s direct engagement with President Putin appears to have facilitated the return process for the majority of the affected men.
The situation has raised questions about recruitment practices and the vulnerability of job seekers from African countries. Additionally, it has highlighted the need for stronger safeguards to protect citizens from fraudulent employment schemes that mask military conscription.
Authorities have not confirmed the exact timeline for when the remaining 11 South African nationals will return home. The government continues to work with Russian officials to ensure the safe repatriation of all citizens involved, though specific details about the hospitalized individual in Moscow remain unclear.
