According to Bloomberg, Russia has begun to massively recruit citizens from African countries to participate in the war against Ukraine. This campaign has intensified after recruitment efforts in Kenya and South Africa faced setbacks, leading Moscow to focus on Zimbabwe, Burundi, and Sierra Leone.
Recruitment Methods
Russian recruiters lure Africans with promises of civilian jobs, but in reality, they are sent to the front lines. In the first nine months of 2026, Russia recruited:
- 699 men from Burundi;
- 530 men from Zimbabwe.
These numbers significantly exceed the figures from the previous year and indicate an escalation of the recruitment campaign.
Reasons and Consequences
The increase in recruitment from Africa is linked to Russia's need to compensate for personnel shortages and significant losses in the war against Ukraine. It is noted that most of the recruited men come from countries with limited democratic freedoms and weak judicial systems, making it difficult to protect their rights.
Global Recruitment Scale
Overall, Ukraine has identified 45,959 foreigners from 151 countries who have signed contracts with the Russian army. This indicates the global scale of recruitment, which encompasses not only African nations but also other regions of the world.