African States Accuse Russia of Luring Fighters to Its War in Ukraine

Russia’s manpower strategy in its Ukraine war has expanded beyond domestic mobilization into informal foreign recruitment channels, drawing unemployed civilians and veterans from multiple African states into frontline roles under coercive contracts.

Stephen Oduor, who has talked to The Guardian for an exclusive, says he arrived in St Petersburg in August expecting plumbing work. Within 24 hours he was fingerprinted, issued military identification and transported roughly 2 days by train to Belgorod near the Ukrainian border.

“You travelled all the way from Kenya and didn’t know what you were coming to do?” he recalled being told. Within 3 days he was handed an assault rifle despite not having the “know how to shoot anything.”

Recruitment Supply Chain Gap

Oduor is among more than 200 Kenyans cited by Kenya’s foreign ministry as drawn into the war since 2022. A ministry briefing dated November 12, 2025 said families continued inquiries and injuries were recorded among nationals stranded after recruitment attempts.

A September 24, 2025 raid in Athi River found 21 Kenyans awaiting processing to the warzone and an agent now faces court charges for luring recruits with payments of up to $18,000.

Authorities said some recruits were promised tasks assembling drones or handling chemicals but received no protective gear.

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said over 1,400 citizens from 36 African countries were fighting for Russia, many now prisoners of war.

“Disposable” Battlefield Roles

After deployment Oduor spent about 3 months shooting down Ukrainian drones from forest foxholes. During one strike, a drone killed a passenger beside him. “I just saw death,” he said.

Social media footage described by witnesses shows African fighters being called “disposables,” while earlier media documented soldiers used as “mayachki” beacons walking ahead of assault groups.

Kenya said 28 citizens were repatriated since December. Some families remain uncertain of relatives’ fate after final messages before missions, including one warning: “In case of anything, you’ll get a call.”

Digital And Diaspora Recruitment

In South Africa, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla resigned from parliament amid accusations she helped recruit men for Russia. Bloomberg reported on January 7 that two men left in July 2024 after contact with a Discord user while playing Arma 3, offered contracts, citizenship and education.

Uganda intercepted 9 men at Entebbe airport among over 100 veterans allegedly recruited in waves. One survivor said a soldier ordered: “You sign these papers,” at gunpoint.

Governments in Kenya and Uganda say employment agencies exploit youth unemployment and overseas work programs.

Moscow has previously denied involvement, while African authorities pursue repatriation efforts and warn citizens against deceptive foreign job offers.