Russia recruits 5,451 Africans to fight in Ukraine
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Zambianobserver
Russia is stepping up recruitment of African nationals to fight in Ukraine, with 5,451 Africans recorded among 45,959 foreigners who signed contracts with its forces. Recruitment from Burundi rose from 30 in 2025 to 699 during the first nine months of 2026, according to Ukrainian intelligence data reported by Bloomberg.
Ukraine has identified 5,451 Africans who signed contracts with Russian forces to fight in the war in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian intelligence data cited by Bloomberg. Moscow has not publicly confirmed the existence of this recruitment programme.
Burundi provided 699 recruits during the first nine months of 2026, compared with 30 throughout 2025. The number of Zimbabwean recruits rose from 65 to 530 over the same periods. Increases were also reported in Sierra Leone, DR Congo, Sudan and Cameroon.
In total, Ukrainian services recorded 45,959 foreigners from 151 countries who had signed contracts with the Russian army. According to a Ukrainian intelligence presentation, the recruitment is intended to offset losses and the shortage of people available for mobilisation. Recruiters are increasingly turning to African countries where incomes are low and institutions are weaker, after tighter controls in Kenya and South Africa.
Relatives of missing men have protested in countries such as Kenya, while several African governments have issued warnings. A Zimbabwean organisation has also called on Africa to denounce the recruitment in a statement on Russian enlistment.
