Russia’s extensive recruitment of Africans for Ukraine war reaches even Madagascar
Photo: Mercenary from Africa in the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces (Getty Images)
Russia continues to recruit mercenaries in Africa for the war against Ukraine. However, it is targeting poorer countries, according to Bloomberg.
Russia recruits mercenaries in Africa
According to a report by Ukrainian intelligence, reviewed by Bloomberg, Russia is increasing the number of Africans it recruits. The aggressor state pays particular attention to the most disadvantaged nations on the continent to attract human resources for the war against Ukraine.
Bloomberg says these countries include Zimbabwe, Burundi, and Sierra Leone.
Earlier, Kenya and South Africa attempted to stop men from leaving to participate in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Russia traffics in people
On October 26, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine stated that the Russian authorities "have trafficked persons from 29 countries, using deception or coercion, to recruit them in the Russian armed forces." To do this, Russia used deception or coercion to recruit mercenaries into its armed forces.
Russia has never publicly admitted to using foreigners for the war against Ukraine. The Kremlin cynically stated that the country has sufficient human resources for the war, the publication writes.
However, concern is growing in several African countries regarding Russia's attempts to recruit their citizens. Poor Africans are easier to lure to Russia with false promises of civilian work in catering or transport.
Also, according to the families of some recruits and an Amnesty International report last month, the following were offered:
- Significant bonuses and salaries for signing a contract;
- A path to obtaining Russian citizenship.
What African mercenaries do
Those recruited from Africa were deployed mainly to carry out assaults and advance on the front line, the UN commission report states.
For those who refused, commanders applied punishments, including detention, beatings, and threats to kill. During operations, they were monitored by drones to prevent them from retreating.
The commission called on Russia to cease this practice and hold those responsible for recruitment accountable.
Ukraine stated that it would release captured foreign citizens only if they were exchanged for captured Ukrainian military personnel.
Governments warn Russia
The governments of Botswana and South Africa have publicly warned against agreeing to work in Russia, which seemed lucrative. Zimbabwe arrested two Russian citizens suspected of recruiting for the army.
The governments of Kenya and Ghana directly appealed to Russia to cease this activity, Bloomberg writes.
Kenyan politicians stated that Russia had recruited at least 1,000 citizens.
How many mercenaries from Africa
The presentation states that between January 1 and September 30, Russia recruited 699 men from Burundi, compared to 30 for all of 2025, and 530 Zimbabweans, compared to 65.
Among other countries where a significant increase in the number of recruited mercenaries was observed:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo;
- Sierra Leone;
- Sudan;
- Cameroon.
In total, Ukraine has identified 45,959 foreigners from 151 countries who have signed contracts with the Russian military. Of these, 5,451 are Africans.
First time from Madagascar
Russia has also begun recruiting fighters in Madagascar for the first time since the start of the war against Ukraine. The military seized power there in a 2025 coup and established closer ties with Moscow, Bloomberg says.
Several African countries had appealed to Ukraine to return their citizens who fought on the side of Russia and were taken prisoner.
Furthermore, under the guise of job offers, the Kremlin is increasingly involving Africans in fighting in Ukraine.
