Over 1,700 Africans Reportedly Fighting for Russia – Ukraine Warns
Foreign ministers raise alarm over deceptive recruitment of African nationals into Russian forces
- Ukraine reports over 1,700 African nationals fighting for Russia, from 36 countries
- Russian recruitment allegedly involves deception, offering civilian jobs that lead to combat
- Ghanaian Foreign Minister calls for ceasefire and seeks release of two Ghanaians captured in the conflict
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has revealed that more than 1,700 African nationals are currently fighting for Russia in its ongoing war with Ukraine, accusing Moscow of using deceptive tactics to enlist foreign citizens.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Wednesday, Sybiha said Ukraine is engaging with African governments to prevent their citizens from being drawn into the conflict.
“We clearly see that Russia is trying to drag African citizens into a deadly war,” Sybiha stated. “According to our data, there are currently over 1,780 citizens from the African continent fighting in the Russian army.” He noted that these fighters come from 36 African countries.
Russian authorities have denied allegations of illegal recruitment. Nevertheless, reports have surfaced in recent months of African men being lured to Russia under the promise of civilian employment, only to be sent to the front lines in Ukraine—raising tensions between Moscow and several African states.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister Ablakwa added that many of those recruited were deceived through online job offers and lacked any military training or experience. “They have no security background. They have no military background. They have not been trained. They were just lured and deceived, and then put on the frontlines,” he said.
Ablakwa expressed solidarity with Ukraine and called for a ceasefire as the war enters its fourth year. He also said he would request Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to release two Ghanaians captured while fighting for Russia.
Looking ahead, Ghana—set to chair the African Union next year—plans to launch public awareness campaigns to counter trafficking networks that recruit Africans deceptively for Russian forces.
