Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has disclosed that more than 1,700 African nationals are currently fighting for Russia in the ongoing war with Ukraine, alleging that Moscow used deceptive recruitment tactics to draw them into combat.
Speaking at a joint press briefing with his Ghanaian counterpart, Sybiha said Ukrainian authorities have begun engaging African governments to prevent their citizens from being misled into joining the conflict. He noted that Ghana is expected to assume the chairmanship of the African Union next year.
According to Sybiha, Russia appears to be targeting African citizens for participation in what he described as a deadly conflict. He stated that Ukrainian data shows over 1,780 individuals from 36 African countries are serving in the Russian military.
Russian officials have denied accusations of illegally recruiting African nationals into their armed forces.
Earlier reports also highlighted cases of Nigerians allegedly deceived with promises of employment in Russia, only to end up on the frontlines in Ukraine. In recent months, accounts of African men being lured through false job offers and deployed to the battlefield have reportedly increased, raising diplomatic concerns between Moscow and some African states.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said many of those fighting for Russia were misled through online recruitment schemes, including offers circulated on the dark web that appeared to advertise legitimate jobs.
He stressed that many of the affected individuals lacked military or security training before being deployed to combat zones. Ablakwa expressed support for Ukraine’s position and called for a ceasefire as the war marked its fourth year on Tuesday.
He also revealed plans to appeal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the release of two Ghanaian prisoners of war captured while fighting on Russia’s side.
Ablakwa further announced that Ghana intends to launch public awareness campaigns targeting trafficking and recruitment networks linked to the Russian military during its upcoming tenure at the African Union.
The development underscores the far-reaching impact of the Ukraine conflict, as African countries grapple with efforts to safeguard their citizens from becoming unintended participants in a distant European war.