Zimbabwe has confirmed that 15 of its citizens have died after being recruited to fight for Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine, with over 60 others still trapped on the frontlines.
Information Minister Zhemu Soda said the victims were lured by shadowy agencies offering lucrative overseas jobs, primarily through social media.
“It is a sophisticated scheme of deception, exploitation, and human trafficking that has already resulted in the loss of Zimbabwean lives,” Soda stated.
The government is reportedly in discussions with Russian authorities to repatriate the bodies of the deceased and secure the safe return of those still alive. This marks the first time Zimbabwe has publicly acknowledged that dozens of its citizens are involved in military service for Russia.
Soda cautioned Zimbabweans to exercise vigilance when considering overseas job offers, urging them to verify opportunities through official channels. He warned that recruiters often disappear once recruits are injured, captured, or killed, leaving families without support or information.
The Zimbabwean situation mirrors a broader pattern across Africa. Kenyan, Ghanaian, and South African citizens have reportedly been enticed into the conflict.
Ukrainian intelligence estimates that over 1,700 people from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. Kenya reports that 252 of its nationals were illegally conscripted, prompting Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi to negotiate an agreement in Moscow last week to halt further deployment.
Ghana confirmed that 55 of its citizens have died in the war, with about 272 recruited since 2022. South Africa secured the return of 17 nationals who had been misled into joining the conflict.
This growing trend highlights the risks African nationals face from deceptive recruitment schemes linked to foreign conflicts.
