South Africa Secures Return of 11 Men Lured to Russia-Ukraine Conflict

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Expresses Gratitude for Russia’s Support in Repatriating Men

A group of 11 South African men who were recruited by Russian forces in Ukraine will be returning home, according to the South African presidency. The men, aged between 20 and 39, had joined mercenary forces under false pretenses, with employment contracts that turned out to be lucrative but ultimately exploitative.

In late November, the presidency announced that it had received “distress calls” from 17 men who were trapped in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. Four of the men had already returned home last week, and 11 were expected to follow soon. Two other South Africans remain in Russia, with one currently hospitalized and the other undergoing processing for planned travel.

South African President Ramaphosa has expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for facilitating the repatriation process through diplomatic channels. The presidency stated that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recruitment of these men is ongoing.

South Africa’s government had previously banned its citizens from fighting for a foreign country’s army without government authorization. Reports have surfaced in recent months about young men being recruited fraudulently for work abroad, only to find themselves on the front lines in Russia and Ukraine.

According to Ukraine’s foreign minister, over 1,400 citizens from 36 African countries have been identified among Russian ranks. In Kenya, more than 1,000 Kenyans are believed to be fighting in the conflict, with 89 currently on the front line. In South Africa, at least three individuals are being investigated in connection with the recruitment of these men.

The four South Africans who returned home last week were questioned by police upon their arrival and released after discussing the matter with authorities. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding their recruitment is ongoing.

Source: Al Jazeera