Ukraine calls on African countries to block Russia's recruitment of young people for war
Photo: Ukraine called on African countries to stop Russian recruitment schemes for the war (Getty Images)
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has urged African countries to take decisive action to stop Russian schemes that lure young people across the continent into fighting in the war against Ukraine, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi.
Reports of Russian recruitment activities in Africa are increasingly appearing in local media headlines, but the information currently available may represent only the tip of the iceberg.
"We urge all African media and governments to take bold action to stop Russian programs that are luring youth throughout the continent into its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," Tykhyi said.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also drew attention to Russia's sharp increase in scholarships for African students for the upcoming academic year, noting that these steps have nothing to do with education.
In addition, the Foreign Ministry stressed the need for systematic countermeasures, including official public warnings to raise awareness, as well as legal action to expose and shut down recruitment programs and hold those responsible accountable.
Recruitment of Africans to fight against Ukraine
At the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it became known that citizens of African and Middle Eastern countries would be fighting as part of the Russian army. Since then, recruitment campaigns have continued.
In 2023, Western media reported that mercenaries from Africa were serving in the Russian army as part of the African Corps.
According to data from Ukraine's Foreign Minister, more than 1,400 citizens of African countries are currently fighting on Russia's side. As a result, the governments of these countries have urged their citizens not to fall for recruitment efforts.
In particular, the South African government said that at least 17 of its citizens were deceived into taking part in combat operations in the Donbas under the guise of attractive job offers.
In addition, a scandal erupted in South Africa involving Duduzile Zuma, the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, who has been accused of recruiting mercenaries for the Russian army. Amid the allegations, she resigned her seat in parliament.
For more details on how Russia recruits Africans, what they do on the front line, how they end up in captivity, and how their views of Russia change afterward, read the material by RBC-Ukraine.
