South Africa announces that the majority of a group of 17 men, who were enticed to fight for Russia, are expected to return home

South Africa’s government announced on Tuesday that 11 out of a group of 17 men, who had been enticed to fight for Russia in Ukraine, are expected to return home shortly, following the arrival of four individuals who returned to the country last week.

According to a statement from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office, an additional two individuals stayed in Russia, with one receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow.

Ramaphosa discussed the situation of the 17 men, who reached out for help to the South African government in November after becoming trapped in Ukraine’s Donbas region, during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month.

Recently, there have been increasing reports of African men being enticed to Russia with job offers, only to find themselves on the front lines in Ukraine. This situation has led to rising tensions between Moscow and several of the affected countries.

Last week, a Kenyan intelligence report submitted to lawmakers estimated that over 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to support Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The foreign minister of Kenya has announced his intention to travel to Russia to discuss the matter.

South Africa has aimed to uphold a neutral position regarding the conflict in Ukraine while also nurturing robust relations with Moscow as a fellow BRICS member alongside Brazil, India, and China.

According to South African law, citizens are prohibited from offering military assistance to foreign governments or joining foreign armies unless they have received proper authorization.

A significant portion of the Donbas is under the control of Russian forces, and intense fighting has persisted in the region since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine four years ago.