Russia recruiting Africans for war against Ukraine under guise of work and study

Russia is systematically recruiting citizens of African countries to take part in the war against Ukraine, disguising this as employment or education. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on African governments and media to take steps to stop these programmes.

Source: Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Details: Tykhyi says information about this recruitment is appearing in media across the African continent – from Kenya to Botswana – and is already starting to have adverse effects for Moscow. Furthermore, Tykhyi noted that the facts made public are likely only "the tip of the iceberg".

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on African media and governments to take measures to stop Russian programmes, which lure young people across the continent into taking part in an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Tykhyi also drew attention to a sharp increase in the number of scholarships for African students in Russia in the next academic year, stressing that this should not be viewed solely as an educational initiative.

Quote: "To fight Russia's government-led recruitment activities, systemic countermeasures are required, such as formal warnings to citizens to raise their awareness, as well as legal action to disclose and disrupt recruitment programmes and hold those responsible accountable."

Background:

• On 15 December, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on African countries to be cautious about Russia's recruitment activities following reports that two citizens of Botswana had likely become its victims.
• The ministry stated that Russia is systematically involving foreign nationals in the war, disguising this as employment or education, and emphasised that this is an organised state policy.
• In November, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported that at least 1,436 citizens from 36 African countries are currently fighting in the ranks of the Russian military that invaded Ukraine.

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