Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia often recruits citizens from African countries through deception or coercion to fight in its war against Ukraine, and urged these governments to warn their citizens against participating in Russian aggression.
He wrote about this on the social network X.
“According to available information, at least 1436 citizens from 36 African countries are currently fighting in the ranks of Russia's invasion army in Ukraine. The number represents those identified, though the actual number could be higher,” Sybiha noted.
He added that Russia recruits citizens of African countries in various ways: some are offered money, others are deceived and do not realize what they are signing up for, or are forced to do so under pressure.
“Signing a contract is equivalent to signing a death sentence,” the Ukrainian foreign minister warned.
Sybiha emphasized that foreign citizens in the Russian army meet a tragic fate: most are immediately sent into so-called “meat assaults,” where they are quickly killed, meaning that the majority of mercenaries do not survive more than a month.
The head of Ukrainian diplomacy noted that there are two ways to avoid such a fate:
“First, do not be recruited and do not sign any documents with Russian authorities. I urge all African governments to issue public statements warning their citizens against joining the Russian invasion army,” he said.
He called on all African governments to publicly warn their citizens against joining the Russian occupation army.
“Participation on Russia’s side in its war of aggression against Ukraine is illegal, immoral, and violates the UN Charter and international law,” Sybiha stressed.
He also noted that Russia is attempting to recruit people from many countries, not only from Africa.
“We will provide more specific information about the regions and countries from which foreign citizens are recruited by the Russian occupation army and then taken captive. We once again urge all governments to make every effort to disrupt Russian recruitment schemes and to inform their citizens that such activity is illegal,” the foreign minister underscored.
