Ukraine and Ghana Team Up to Counter Russian Mercenary Recruitment as 1,780 Africans Fight for Moscow

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth year, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that more than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries are fighting for Russia in the ongoing war, RBC-Ukraine reported on February 25.

Speaking during a joint press conference with Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in Kyiv, Sybiha noted that these individuals are mercenaries, recruited through deceptive methods by Russia.

“Russia is using fraudulent schemes to lure these citizens into the war. It is crucial to expose and counter these recruitment tactics,” said Sybiha. He emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that a significant number of these mercenaries have either been killed or captured during combat.

The Ukrainian government has been working closely with African nations to tackle the recruitment efforts, which are targeting vulnerable individuals from various African states. Some countries have already increased penalties for mercenary involvement and agreed to collaborate with Ukraine on awareness campaigns aimed at preventing further recruitment, RBC-Ukraine wrote.

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In a post on X, Sybiha expressed his gratitude for the visit from Ghana’s Foreign Minister, describing it as a historic day, and praised Ghana’s support for Ukraine in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He also reinforced the importance of African countries taking active measures to prevent their citizens from being recruited by Russia.

“We started the visit by laying flowers at the Wall of Remembrance. I thanked my colleague for his words of support on the fourth grim anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. I also thanked Ghana for supporting the relevant UNGA resolution yesterday,” he wrote.

Sybiha also highlighted that Ukraine has had discussions with African representatives regarding prisoners of war captured while fighting for Russia, with Ukrainian authorities offering assistance to Ghanaian diplomats to visit their nationals who are detained.

“Ukraine strictly upholds the Geneva Conventions and will grant Ghanaian diplomats access to their nationals. We confirmed our readiness to cooperate in resolving this issue in accordance with international law and in coordination with the competent authorities of Ukraine,” he stated.

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“While Russia drags foreigners to their deaths, Ukraine offers cooperation for the sake of life, education, and a common future,” Sybiha concluded, underscoring Ukraine’s commitment to international law and cooperation with African nations to counter Russia’s recruitment strategies.

Earlier, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa had confirmed that the government has successfully facilitated the return of citizens who were deceived into participating in combat for Russia.

According to a statement from the president’s office, four individuals returned to South Africa last week, with another 11 expected to return soon. One individual is currently hospitalized, and another is preparing to travel.

The men were recruited with the assistance of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma. Families of the affected individuals reported that the men were initially promised training as bodyguards, but were subsequently coerced into signing military contracts.

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