Botswana says citizens are increasingly being coerced into fighting for Russia against Ukraine – Bloomberg

Botswana's Ministry of International Relations has stated that an increasing number of its citizens are being coerced into fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Source: Bloomberg, citing a statement by Botswana's foreign ministry

Details: In a statement released on 18 July, the ministry warned Botswana citizens against accepting job offers without first verifying their legitimacy. According to officials, many are lured abroad under false pretences and later coerced into taking part in combat operations against Ukraine.

Quote: "The number of Botswana [citizens] being misled into such arrangements is rising at an alarming rate."

Details: The ministry added that it continues to receive distress calls from Botswana nationals already on the battlefield, describing the dangerous conditions they face.

Bloomberg reports that individuals involved in recruiting Africans to fight in Russia's war against Ukraine have been arrested and prosecuted in Kenya and South Africa.

In February, a report by the non-profit organisation Inpact, which runs the All Eyes On Wagner programme, stated that at least 316 Africans have been killed fighting against Ukraine, and that many of them had minimal military training. Kenya has said that around 1,000 of its citizens have been recruited.

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