South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin as 17 individuals, whom the government described as having been “seduced” to fight in the war against Ukraine, begin to return home.
Ramaphosa’s office released a statement on Tuesday outlining the government’s response, which involved close cooperation with Russian officials to facilitate the repatriation of the men. The group, aged 20 to 39, is reported to have been recruited for “mercenary activities.” The exact details regarding their recruitment are still being investigated.
During a phone call on February 10, President Ramaphosa thanked President Putin for his prompt assistance. So far, four members of the group have returned, with 11 more expected to arrive soon. However, two remain in Russia; one is hospitalized in Moscow, while the other is undergoing necessary procedures before traveling.
The South African embassy in Moscow is overseeing the care of the hospitalized individuals until they are cleared to return home.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha previously mentioned that at least 1,436 individuals from 36 African nations have been recruited to fight for Russia, and he cautioned that this number might be even higher.
Sibikha also indicated that Russia employs various tactics to attract foreign recruits, including financial incentives, deception, and sometimes coercion. He remarked, “Signing a contract is like signing a death sentence,” highlighting the grim prospects foreign recruits face within the Russian military.
