Recruitment networks have already lured 1,780 Africans from 36 countries to fight in Ukraine on the side of Russia. The growing scandal is forcing African governments to act and demand the return of the soldiers.
Various human trafficking networks lured 1,780 Africans from 36 countries into the war in Ukraine. Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said this after a visit to Kyiv, AFP reported on Friday.
In the group of hundreds of Africans who were recruited to fight in Ukraine on the side of Russia, there were also 272 Ghanaians, of whom at least 55 died in the fighting. Two others were captured in Ukraine. Several African countries have been dealing with the cases of their citizens involved in the fighting in Ukraine on the side of Russia in recent weeks.
The networks have falsely lured them
This week, the Kenyan authorities announced the arrest of a man linked to a recruitment network through which more than 1,000 Kenyans traveled to Russia under the promise of skilled work – but ended up alongside Russian soldiers at the front in Ukraine. According to official data, some of them are still at the front, several are missing or hospitalized.
In response to these findings, African governments are strengthening controls on recruitment agencies and trying to secure the return of their citizens through diplomatic channels.
Moscow says foreigners can join the Russian armed forces if they show interest. However, he rejects accusations of systematic abuse of job offers for military recruitment.
