On Thursday, the South African government launched an investigation into how 17 of its citizens ended up as mercenaries in Ukraine.
These men reportedly sent a “distress signal” for help, and their families allege they were deceived into joining the fight.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered a look into the circumstances that led to the recruitment of these young men into what appear to be mercenary activities,” the government stated.
The 17 individuals, aged between 20 and 39, are reportedly “trapped” in the Donbass region, which is ravaged by war. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya indicated that it’s unclear which side they are fighting for, but much of that area is under Russian control. Historically, Russia has been known to recruit men from developing nations to support its military operations in Ukraine.
In early 2024, families of at least 20 Indian nationals raised concerns, claiming their loved ones were also tricked into fighting for Russia via methods similar to those described by the South African officials.
Some Indians were approached for non-existent jobs by dubious “independent consultants” in the UAE, only to find their flights diverted to Russia, where they were coerced into military service. Others applied for civilian roles in Russia but were shocked to discover they were instead sent to combat zones in Ukraine.
The Indian government is set to investigate this issue in January 2025, mirroring South Africa’s current actions. The number of documented cases has reached 35, and the Ministry of External Affairs cautioned that this figure might grow. At least two Indians forcibly conscripted into Russian military service died in the conflict, with another seriously injured.
Under public pressure in July 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured an assurance from Russian President Vladimir Putin that all Indians fighting in Ukraine would be discharged from military service, pledging that no further drafts of Indians would occur.
Other countries, such as Cuba, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Kenya, have reported similar stories of their citizens being conscripted under false pretenses to fight for Russia.
The Ukrainian army released a video featuring Evans Kibet, a 36-year-old Kenyan athlete, captured in September. He claims he was misled into joining the Russian military under false promises of competing in track events. He initially believed he would be away for just two weeks.
Moreover, Russia has faced accusations of utilizing misleading advertisements to recruit workers for its drone factories, predominantly targeting women from various African countries, including South Africa.
In August, the South African government warned young women about misleading job ads abroad, inspired by an aggressive recruitment campaign organized by a social media influencer promoting questionable work in Russia. Many of these positions were reportedly in Tatarstan, where young women have been tricked into working in drone and munitions factories.
“If something seems too good to be true, get a second opinion,” advised Clayson Monyela, in charge of public diplomacy in South Africa.
Families of South Africans currently in Ukraine have pleaded for rescue efforts. One individual was allegedly lured with a job offer that seemed credible, supposedly from a senior member of South Africa’s left-wing MK party. This man, who sought a civil service position, took the bait eagerly.
His family shared that he and others thought they were applying for well-paying jobs as bodyguards but instead found themselves on the front lines with limited training.
These families had previously notified President Ramaphosa’s government months ago but were advised to remain quiet to avoid jeopardizing sensitive negotiations with Russia.
Perhaps President Ramaphosa has grown impatient with these negotiations, leading him to initiate a public inquiry—possibly under pressure from the MK party and its leadership, including former President Jacob Zuma. In September, Zuma wrote to Russia’s Defense Minister, urging the withdrawal of South African recruits from the combat front, stating, “It would be a tragedy to send these poorly trained volunteers into active combat.”
Interestingly, some speculate that Zuma was influenced to reach out to the Russian minister due to MK’s support for recruiting South Africans to fight. Reports indicated MK received “financial incentives” from Russia for providing recruits, which Zuma hinted at in his letter, highlighting the political fallout MK faced due to these recruitment efforts.
An MK spokesperson did not confirm the authenticity of Zuma’s letter but denied allegations connecting the party to Russia’s recruitment efforts. It’s worth noting that fighting for a foreign military is illegal in South Africa, so if the investigation links MK to these activities, it could cause significant issues for the party.
Tebogo Masilompane, leader of an alternative political party, emphasized that the government must take actions beyond merely investigating the situation. “They need to get these individuals back. Military aircraft and diplomatic channels should be utilized for their safe return,” he suggested.
“People are in a vulnerable spot. They see online job ads and think they’re genuine. They never intended to fight; they were just searching for work,” he stressed.
