Dying for Putin: Cameroon discloses losses of its citizens in Ukraine war
Illustrative photo: Russia confirms deaths of Cameroonians in Ukraine war (Getty Images)
On Monday, April 6, Cameroon said that Russia had confirmed the deaths of 16 Cameroonian soldiers in Ukraine, according to AP News.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged the deaths of 16 Cameroonian soldiers who had taken part in the full-scale war in Ukraine.
The ministry also said that "necessary arrangements" had been taken to contact the families of the deceased soldiers.
In addition, the families of six other Cameroonian citizens living in Russia were urged to contact the ministry regarding "urgent matters" concerning them. No further details were provided.
It is also noted that in March last year, Cameroon’s defense minister instructed the leadership of various military units to take "strict emergency measures" to prevent defections among both active-duty and former Cameroonian servicemen.
Mercenaries in the Russian army
Russia is actively recruiting citizens from African countries to participate in the war against Ukraine, often presenting such offers as opportunities for education or legal civilian work.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha previously said that more than 1,700 citizens of African countries are fighting within Russian forces in the war against Ukraine.
Earlier reports indicated that Russia had recruited more than a thousand citizens of Kenya for the war, using schemes involving tourist visas and promises of high salaries.
Recently, a foreign mercenary from the Philippines who was fighting on the side of Russian forces was eliminated in the Donetsk region.
