Russia is expanding its recruitment of foreign nationals from African countries for the war against Ukraine, often using deceptive job offers and intermediary networks.
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According to Foreign Policy on May 5, recruitment operations target citizens from dozens of African states through social media platforms, messaging apps, and local employment agencies offering work in Russia. In many cases, recruits reportedly believed they were accepting civilian jobs before being redirected into military structures linked to Russia’s war effort.
A Russian soldier films a large detachment of African mercenaries recruited to wage war against Ukraine. Behind their backs, he comments in Russian that they are essentially disposable cannon fodder: "Look how many disposables are here." January 2026 pic.twitter.com/FiqE7N7tpt
— 𝚂𝙽𝙸𝙿𝙴𝙳™ (@The_Banned_Vids) May 2, 2026
The investigation highlights the case of Kenyan citizen Clinton Mogesa, who informed his family that he had secured work in Russia after completing employment in Qatar. He was later sent to military training shortly after arriving in Russia. Ukrainian intelligence subsequently confirmed his death in Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine.
According to the publication, Ukrainian sources found documents belonging to other Kenyan nationals among Mogesa’s belongings, suggesting a broader recruitment pattern involving citizens from the same country.
Russia has increasingly relied on foreign recruits since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainian intelligence estimates cited by the outlet indicate Moscow aims to recruit at least 18,500 foreign fighters in 2026.
The publication states that foreign nationals from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America have been identified among Russian military personnel. Ukrainian diplomats told Foreign Policy that citizens from at least 36 African countries have been observed fighting on Russia’s side.
According to Kenyan authorities cited in the report, more than 1,000 Kenyan citizens may have entered the recruitment system. Some reportedly returned home injured, others remain missing, and several deaths have been confirmed.
Russia is recruiting in Africa with promises of jobs, education, and a better future. But many end up on the frontlines in Ukraine or inside Russia’s war industry.
— EUvsDisinfo (@EUvsDisinfo) May 4, 2026
Watch Business of Despair: Russia’s War Recruitment in Africa below: pic.twitter.com/xnEUazMueB
Foreign Policy states that recruitment schemes frequently involve promises of employment as drivers, kitchen staff, or service workers. Human rights activist Fred Ojiro of the organization Voice of Africa told the outlet: “These are not soldiers who consciously went to war. These are young people who thought they were going for ordinary work.”
At the same time, some recruits knowingly agree to military contracts. Pauline Bax, deputy director of the Africa program at the International Crisis Group, told Foreign Policy that unemployment and tightening migration restrictions toward Europe contribute to the trend.
“People are using the opportunity to get a visa to Russia, especially against the backdrop of stricter requirements for entering Europe,” Bax said.
According to the investigation, Russia’s recruitment infrastructure includes Telegram channels, VK communities, African recruitment agencies, intermediaries in Russia and the Middle East, and possible ties to structures connected to the Wagner Group and its successor organizations.
The report also cites Kenyan investigations pointing to alleged involvement of airport personnel and officials who may have facilitated departures in exchange for bribes.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence reported that it had identified more than 28,000 foreign nationals from at least 136 countries serving under contract with the Russian Armed Forces.
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