Ukraine reports that more than 1,700 Africans are fighting for Russia
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on Wednesday that over 1,700 Africans are engaged in combat for Russia in its war in Ukraine, noting that Moscow is employing deceitful tactics to recruit them for the fight.
While addressing his counterpart from Ghana, Sybiha mentioned that talks were ongoing with various governments throughout Africa to deter their citizens from becoming involved in such schemes. Next year, Ghana will take on the role of chair for the African Union regional bloc.
“It is evident that Russia is attempting to involve African citizens in a perilous conflict,” Sybiha stated during a news conference. “Our data indicates that there are presently more than 1,780 individuals from the African continent serving in the Russian army.”
The African fighters hailed from 36 distinct countries throughout the continent, he noted.
Authorities in Russia have refuted allegations of unlawfully enlisting African citizens to serve in the military.
Reports have increasingly emerged 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.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, stated that numerous Africans engaged in combat for Russia were misled and enticed on the dark web by the allure of regular employment. “They lack any security experience.” They lack any military experience. “They have not received training,” Ablakwa stated. “They were simply enticed and misled and subsequently placed on the frontlines.”
Ablakwa expressed support for Ukraine and urged for a ceasefire to bring an end to the war, which reached its fourth anniversary on Tuesday. He mentioned that he would request Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to free two Ghanaian prisoners of war, who were taken captive while fighting for Russia.
Ablakwa stated that Ghana would implement initiatives to enhance public awareness regarding trafficking networks that are misleadingly enlisting individuals for Russian forces during its tenure as president of the African Union.
