At least 55 Ghanaian nationals have been killed after being allegedly lured to fight in Russia’s war with Ukraine, Ghana’s foreign minister said following a visit to Kyiv where officials raised concerns about Russian recruitment of Africans.
Reports have grown of African men being enticed to travel to Russia with promises of work, only to find themselves on Ukraine’s frontlines. Moscow denies illegally recruiting African citizens to fight in Ukraine.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s foreign minister, said on the social media platform X that 272 Ghanaians are believed to have been drawn into battle since 2022; an estimated 55 have been killed and two captured as prisoners of war. Speaking at a joint briefing, Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said more than 1,780 people from 36 African countries are fighting in the Russian forces.
Ablakwa said Ghana will step up public education about the risks, work to dismantle dark-web recruitment schemes operating within its jurisdiction, and intensify efforts to track and break up illegal recruitment networks. He stressed that Ghana does not consider this its war and will not allow young people to be used as human shields. The two Ghanaians held captive have urged others not to be tempted by financial incentives to join the conflict.
The issue has strained relations between Moscow and several African states. South Africa recently reported two citizens killed on the frontlines and separately repatriated most of a group of 17 men who say they were deceived into fighting for Russia. South African authorities are investigating alleged involvement by Duduzile Zuma‑Sambudla, a daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, in luring several men to Russia.
Kenyan intelligence assessments indicate more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight for Russia. Kenya’s foreign ministry said 27 Kenyans were rescued after being stranded in Russia, and foreign minister Musalia Mudavadi said he intended to visit Russia in March to raise the matter directly.
Governments across the continent are responding with investigations, repatriation efforts, public warnings and attempts to disrupt recruitment channels, as officials warn young people about the dangers of being recruited for a conflict thousands of miles away.